SINCE 1828

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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

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Recent Examples of wage scale from the Web

The auto bailout helped stanch job losses at GM and Chrysler while pension reforms and a two-tier wage scale for new workers made Detroit’s auto makers more economically competitive.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "The Michigan Comeback Story," 25 Sep. 2017
Cities around the country are taking steps to improve life for workers, especially those at the low-end of the wage scale.

— jerry large, The Seattle Times, "Labor Day under Trump? Not exactly a picnic," 3 Sep. 2017
Pay packages are less generous than at legacy carriers, and many employees lack seniority and are at the lower end of wage scales.

— susan carey, WSJ, "How Budget Carriers Transformed the Airline Industry—in 14 Charts," 23 Aug. 2017

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

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