wage scale

noun

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of wage scale

: a schedule of wage rates for related tasks; broadly : the general level of wages in an industry or region

Recent Examples of wage scale from the Web

The fact is that under the rookie wage scale that’s part of the current collective bargaining agreement, there just isn’t much for first-year players to negotiate.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Panthers mailbag: Why hasn't first-round pick D.J. Moore signed yet? Cause for worry?," 8 June 2018
About half of Intel employees work overseas in places like Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Israel and Ireland – a list that includes a wide variety of wage scales.

— mike rogoway | the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "CEO vs. workers: Here's how pay at major Oregon employers compares," 18 May 2018
Still, the proposal is likely to face opposition from Mexican negotiators, given that their current wage scales are too low to qualify.

— ana swanson, New York Times, "White House Tries to Pull Nafta Back From Brink as Deadlines Loom," 5 Apr. 2018
The workers’ wage scales have been largely unchanged for more than 10 years.

— sandra gomez-aceves, courant.com, "To Prevent Strike, House Passes Bill Raising Wages Of Workers Who Care For The Disabled," 2 May 2018
Under the new contract, which includes a seven-step wage scale, the beginning salary for firefighters at the bottom of the scale is $70,515 and $93,365 for those at the top of scale as of May.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Skokie firefighters to get raises, additional bonuses as part of new union contract," 16 Mar. 2018
The number of middle-wage jobs in Oregon (paying between $35,000 and $50,000 annually) is now growing faster than those at the low and high ends of the wage scale.

— mike rogoway, OregonLive.com, "Oregon jobless rate remains at historic low for 15th straight month," 17 Apr. 2018
Based on the current NBA rookie wage scale, the difference in salary between the No.

— aaron reiss, kansascity, "What Mizzou's Jontay Porter must consider while deciding whether to enter NBA Draft | The Kansas City Star," 27 Mar. 2018
Study authors attributed this to brisk hiring in sectors, such as hospitality and health care, that are on the low end of the wage scale and contribute less to overall productivity.

— lynn brezosky, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio no standout for 2016 economic growth, Brookings says," 22 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wage scale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of wage scale

1900

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about wage scale

See words that rhyme with wage scale

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wage scale? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

wage scale

Definition of wage scale

Recent Examples of wage scale from the Web

First Known Use of wage scale

Learn More about wage scale

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

skirl

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

The Last Word on 'Finalize'

'Creep': A Skin-Crawling History

Centuries and How to Refer to Them

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Name More Food!

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word

wage scale

Definition of wage scale

Recent Examples of wage scale from the Web

First Known Use of wage scale

Learn More about wage scale

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word