Salary vs Wage
Salary = fixed yearly/monthly pay for professional jobs (annual salary of $60k). Wage = pay by the hour/day, usually manual work (minimum wage, hourly wage).
The one-line answer
Salary = fixed yearly/monthly pay for professional jobs (annual salary of $60k). Wage = pay by the hour/day, usually manual work (minimum wage, hourly wage).
salary
nouna fixed regular payment, usually yearly amount paid monthly, for professional work
- Her salary is $4,000 a month.
- The job offers a competitive salary.
- Salaries in tech are usually higher.
wage
nounpay calculated by the hour, day or week — often for manual work; also 'wages' plural
- The minimum wage went up this year.
- He earns an hourly wage of $15.
- Workers demanded higher wages.
Memory trick
Salary = Salaried professional (monthly/annual, office). Wage = per Week/hour (factory, retail). You negotiate a salary; you calculate wages.
Salary vs Wage: Test yourself
Question 1 of 2The minimum ___ increased by 50 cents per hour.