Looking for your next SaaS project with high viral potential and low technical overhead? This is it.

The Market Gap: Standard salary tools like Glassdoor or Salary.com stop at tax brackets. They completely ignore the 'Cost of Working'—parking, tolls, fuel, and the most valuable asset: time. With the aggressive 'Return to Office' push, millions of professionals are accepting 'raises' that actually result in lower monthly disposable income.

The Validation: This isn't just a theory; it's a proven pain point. A recent viral Reddit thread in r/careerguidance (500+ upvotes, 220+ comments) featured a user whose $10k raise was instantly swallowed by $530/month in new office expenses. The community response was massive, with users begging for a 'revenue vs. profitability' tool for their careers.

The Solution & Unique Angle: NetPay Calc is a decision-support tool that goes beyond the paycheck. By integrating mapping APIs and real-time data for gas and parking, it provides a 'True Net Pay' comparison between two jobs. The killer feature? A 'Time Value' calculation that shows users exactly what their hourly rate becomes once commute hours are factored in.

The Opportunity: This is an ideal build for an indie hacker or small team:

  • Low Complexity: The core product is a sophisticated calculator with existing API integrations (Google Maps, IRS Tax data).

  • High Virality: The 'Your raise is a lie' narrative is tailor-made for LinkedIn and Reddit career advice content.

  • Clear Monetization: A freemium model where users pay for advanced tax optimization or unlimited scenario comparisons.

This is a validated problem waiting for a builder to execute.

Want to build this? The full Product Requirement Document includes market analysis, user stories, a go-to-market strategy, and more.

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