low wage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low wage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a salary or payment that is below the average or expected level for a particular job or industry. Example: "Many workers are struggling to make ends meet due to their low wage, which does not reflect the cost of living."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I am on a low wage.

The Guardian

Because you can pay them a low wage?' They're already paying me a low wage.

The New York Times

AAAS Life Scientist Salary Survey confirms low wage scale for postdocs.

Science Magazine

They want a low wage economy.

Huffington Post

Low wage retail is a subsistence existence.

Huffington Post

It's low wage jobs without any benefits".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"This is a low-wage job.

The New York Times

Crack dealing was low-wage work.

The New York Times

Others find low-wage jobs.

The New York Times

I became a low-wage, immigrant flâneur.

The New Yorker

"Corporations are building a low-wage economy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In reports and articles, contextualize "low wage" with specific data, comparing it to the cost of living or industry standards to highlight the real-world impact on individuals and families.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all entry-level positions automatically equate to "low wage". While many entry-level jobs may offer lower pay, it's crucial to distinguish them from positions where workers with experience are still earning inadequate compensation. Consider the industry, experience requirements, and cost of living when describing the wage level.

Linguistic Context

"Low wage" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to employment or economic conditions. It qualifies the noun by indicating that the compensation offered is below an acceptable or average level. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low wage" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe inadequate compensation for work. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to highlight economic disparities and challenges faced by workers earning insufficient income. While alternatives like "low income" or "poverty wages" exist, "low wage" specifically emphasizes the compensation level tied to employment. It's important to differentiate "low wage" from "entry-level wage" and to use the phrase accurately, contextualizing it with data to illustrate its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low income

Focuses on the total income level rather than the specific payment for work.

meager salary

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the salary amount.

poverty wages

Highlights that the wage level is insufficient to escape poverty.

minimum wage

Refers to the legally mandated lowest wage, often considered a low wage.

inadequate compensation

Focuses on the insufficiency of the overall compensation package.

substandard pay

Highlights the quality or acceptability of the compensation.

depressed wages

Implies wages are artificially low, often due to economic factors.

poor remuneration

A more formal way of expressing insufficient payment.

low pay scale

Focuses on the range of compensation available.

cheap labor

Highlights the low cost of employing workers.

FAQs

How can I use "low wage" in a sentence?

You can use "low wage" to describe jobs or economies with inadequate pay, such as "Many people are stuck in "low wage jobs"" or "The country is struggling with a "low wage economy"".

What are some alternatives to saying "low wage"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "low income", "poverty wages", or "meager salary" to describe inadequate compensation.

Is it better to say "low wage" or "low paying"?

"Low wage" typically describes the general compensation level associated with a job or industry. "Low paying" describes more directly the action of paying poorly. Both are acceptable, but "low wage" is often preferred in formal contexts.

What factors contribute to a "low wage" economy?

Factors contributing to a "low wage economy" can include a surplus of available labor, a lack of union representation, deregulation, and global competition driving down labor costs.