competitive pay

USAGE SUMMARY

"competitive pay" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a salary or compensation that is comparable or similar to what is offered by other companies in the same industry or market. Example: "Our company offers competitive pay and benefits to attract top talent in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Stock options, competitive pay.

The New York Times

Both will be considered attractive jobs because of competitive pay and their locations.

The New York Times

"We are committed to providing competitive pay and benefits to all our colleagues.

The Guardian

We offer competitive pay, air-conditioning and lots of fun work.

The New York Times

For a sixth-year associate at a New York law firm, $80,000 isn't exactly competitive pay.

The New York Times

The Deliveroo website advertises its need for drivers (of bikes or scooters) promising "flexible shifts" and "competitive pay".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mr Boizot comes to town Signal failure ReprintsTen years later, Britain has one of Europe's most competitive pay-television markets.

The Economist

A 2008 study by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, commissioned by the cross-government Health, Work and Well-being programme, found an increase from 11%to32%2% in people securing competitive, paid employment 12 months after IPS was implemented.

The Guardian

The bank's fixed rate cash Isas are more competitive, paying 4.2% for five years, 4.1% for four years and 3.55% for three years, but can still be beaten by other accounts, according to Moneysupermarket.com.

The Guardian - Money

If Napolitano accepts a significantly lower package than Yudof has received, there might be a message that she wants to return the university to the days when leadership positions were seen more as a public service than as a sinecure that calls for ever-more-competitive pay.

Los Angeles Times

Management Summary Sedibeng Breweries shall evaluate the jobs it provides, paying competitive remuneration packages against market benchmarks to employees for their agreed and set out tasks.

Bplans

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "competitive pay" in the context of attracting and retaining talent. It is most effective when positioned as a key element of an overall employee value proposition.

Common error

Don't rely solely on "competitive pay" to attract and retain employees. Highlight other benefits such as career development opportunities, work-life balance, and company culture to create a holistic and appealing package.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competitive pay" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "competitive" modifies the noun "pay". As stated by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and commonly used. The phrase typically acts as a direct object or a subject complement within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competitive pay" is a very common and grammatically sound term that describes compensation aligned with industry standards. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct. It is primarily used in professional contexts like business, news, and media, where attracting and retaining talent is a priority. When using this phrase, it's important to define your benchmarks and ensure it's part of a broader appealing employee package. Avoid oversimplifying by assuming salary is the only factor for employees. Alternative phrases such as "market-rate compensation" or "industry-standard salary" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

market-rate compensation

Highlights the alignment of pay with current market standards.

industry-standard salary

Emphasizes that the salary offered is typical within the specific industry.

fair compensation

Focuses on the justice and equity of the remuneration provided.

equitable remuneration

Stresses the impartiality and fairness in the distribution of pay.

attractive salary package

Indicates a comprehensive set of benefits and pay that is appealing to candidates.

commensurate pay

Highlights that the salary is proportional to the skills, experience, or effort involved.

competitive benefits package

Focuses on the overall benefits offered in addition to salary.

leading salary

Suggests the salary is among the highest offered in the industry.

benchmark compensation

Implies that the pay is aligned with established benchmarks and standards.

appropriate remuneration

Indicates that the pay is suitable or fitting for the role and responsibilities.

FAQs

What does "competitive pay" mean in a job description?

In a job description, "competitive pay" indicates that the employer offers salaries and benefits that are comparable to or better than those offered by other companies in the same industry and location, aiming to attract qualified candidates.

How can I determine if a salary is truly "competitive pay"?

Research industry standards for similar roles in your location using resources like Glassdoor, Salary.com, or Payscale. Compare the offered salary and benefits package to these benchmarks to assess its competitiveness.

What are some alternatives to saying "competitive pay" in a job advertisement?

You can use alternatives like "market-rate compensation", "industry-standard salary", or "attractive salary package" to convey a similar meaning.

What factors influence what constitutes "competitive pay"?

Factors influencing "competitive pay" include industry, location, experience level, job responsibilities, company size, and the overall economic climate. All these elements contribute to establishing a fair and appealing compensation package.