wage scale

noun

Definition of wage scale

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

Examples of wage scale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a second-round pick, Fernando is not affected by the rookie wage scale, which impacts how first-round choices can negotiate their contracts. — Don Markus, baltimoresun.com, "Sources: Maryland's Fernando to sign three-year guaranteed contract with Atlanta Hawks," 8 July 2019 Economists generally believe higher minimum wages benefit workers at the bottom of the wage scale but do contribute to job losses — or slower job gains — as businesses reduce employment to offset the higher wages. — Mike Rogoway, oregonlive.com, "Oregon employers adapt to successive minimum wage hikes," 30 June 2019 For instance, children without the chance to emotional and intellectually thrive are more likely as adults to wind up in jail or to exist in the bottom five percent of the national wage scale. — Rick Kogan, chicagotribune.com, "‘No Small Matter’ shows how childhood is a brief, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," 24 June 2019 The low end of those wage scales is higher in Los Angeles and certain other areas where local governments have implemented a minimum wage above the state’s level of $12 an hour for medium and large employers. — James F. Peltz, latimes.com, "Grocery strike rocked Southern California 16 years ago. It may happen again soon," 22 June 2019 This earnings dynamic is particularly apparent with rookie players, whose salaries are suppressed by a rookie wage scale and thus whose financial value to agents is primarily through endorsement opportunities. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Analyzing the $100 Million Lawsuit Against Zion Williamson and CAA," 20 June 2019 Nineteen percent of long-term support services is paid out-of-pocket and 8% from private insurance, but large reimbursers generally set wage scales. — Clare Ansberry, WSJ, "Caregivers Do Double Duty to Make Ends Meet," 27 Oct. 2018 Put another way: Could recent wage growth be stronger at the low end of the wage scale than in the middle or upper middle of the distribution? — Jason Furman, Vox, "The real reason you’re not getting a pay raise," 11 Aug. 2018 That rate, according to the wage scale for the 2017-2018 school year, corresponds to a teacher with a master’s degree. — Mike Isaacs, chicagotribune.com, "School District 219 officials defend hiring rule that critics say hampers teacher diversity," 26 June 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.

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Last Updated

15 Jul 2019

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The first known use of wage scale was in 1900

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