It may be pretty hard to compare US and foreign offers. For instance, in France, you'd be earning 36000 euros in cash --what's landing on your account --, however it would actually be nearly 48000 euros with charges (that's what you're taxed for): social security, retirement, etc. Then the company will actually pay some 20000 more euros in other salary charges. That means that 36000 euros in cash in France translate to (36000 (cash) + 32000 (charges)) * 1.30 = about US$ 90000 ...