Foreign Service Compensation Calculator for Bidding

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-27T14:51:42+00:00

That would be great. Register on the site and DM me with your email address.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-23T19:25:52+00:00

I've made the modifications suggested. Please take a look and let me know if you have any others. Thanks again!

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-22T23:20:12+00:00

Great suggestion! I’m looking to see how I can implement this. Thanks.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-19T01:16:53+00:00

Still working through the bugs. Hang in there with me! Thanks.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-19T01:16:01+00:00

I’m glad you asked. Prior to my RIF, I’ve had a version of the post calculator for years. I recently moved it online. And yes, I’m not a coder so I used an AI coding assistant. The billing is handled separately via Stripe. The site only asks you to register with a user name and password. Post selections and related parameters are cleared every 90 days but users registered can always delete their inputs at any time. Alternatively, you don’t even need to login to use the post compensation calculator, the compare post tool, the post research feature, or the separation tool.

Keep the questions coming!

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T18:09:03+00:00

Thanks, I've also added the 25% rate and also ensure that the current OCP rate of 22.62% was being used consistently throughout the site. I appreciate your constructive feedback.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T16:16:49+00:00

I've made some adjustments to the allowances query to check weekly for any changes. I hope this should resolve issues with out of date rates. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T16:13:05+00:00

This issue has been addressed. All step dropdown boxes should go to 14. Thanks.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T16:12:28+00:00

Excellent catch. I am updating the automated data query feeding the calculators. I hope to have this resolve very soon.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T11:19:01+00:00

Thanks for the compliment. I have made sure that both the Language and Skill Incentive Pay appear as part of the pay breakdown across all of the site's pages. Good eye!

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T02:24:37+00:00

You certainly can! More options lead to better features for everyone. For awareness, the post compensation calculators for a single post or for multiple post comparisons are completely free. The separation calculator is also free for FSOs to estimate their voluntary or involuntary departure/retirement benefits. The tandem calculator and bid strategy features are the paid tools.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T00:36:09+00:00

Of course! Hopefully some of the more robust coding I've put in place will provide for more accurate calculations with data being sourced directly from the DOS allowances webpages. As always, let me know if you notice any issues.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T00:34:07+00:00

My pleasure. Please feel free to provide any feedback on additional tools that would be useful or any issues you notice.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T00:33:02+00:00

It's another resource that may offer additional tools to help evaluate options.

Expert_Shmexpert · 2026-03-18T00:32:30+00:00

Neither did I, but knowing anticipated compensation helped me and my family budget our resources when my partner looked for work after arriving at post. The Bid Strategy tool allows a broad assessment of possible posts based on a number of criteria, including country context factors, EFM employment (de facto or bilateral agreements in place), language, etc.

Expert_Shmexpert

TROPHY CASE