low-paying

USAGE SUMMARY

"low-paying" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe jobs or positions that offer a salary below the average or expected level. An example is: "Many graduates are struggling to find low-paying jobs in their field." Alternative expressions include "poorly paid" and "low-wage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Being a janitor was hard, low-paying, dirty work.

The New Yorker

Millions more are on low-paying, temporary contracts.

The Guardian

These contracts are not restricted to low-paying sectors.

The Guardian

There are jobs, but they are low-paying jobs.

The New York Times

"They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs.

The New Yorker

Young researchers get stuck on temporary, low-paying contracts.

The Guardian - Opinion

My mother had a low-paying job in a bakery.

The New York Times - Magazine

Orli had a low-paying job assisting a wealthy socialite, and I had a low-paying job writing copy for an advertising agency.

The New Yorker

Single mothers work two low-paying jobs and can't provide the support their children need".

The New York Times

Medea's nieces and nephews, their material ambitions discouraged, feel free to pursue low-paying, fulfilling careers.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some appointments can be low paying and time consuming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a job or sector, use "low-paying" to clearly communicate that the compensation is below average or insufficient for a reasonable standard of living.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all jobs requiring minimal education are inherently "low-paying". While some may be, others can offer competitive wages or benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low-paying" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective. It modifies nouns (usually "jobs", "sectors", or "contracts") to indicate that the associated compensation is below average or insufficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low-paying" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that functions as a descriptive adjective, primarily used to characterize jobs or sectors with inadequate compensation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used and understood. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, indicating its relevance in discussions about economic and labor issues. Alternative phrases like "underpaid", "low-wage", and "poorly compensated" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. While "low-paying" is generally appropriate, be mindful of potentially misinterpreting lower-skilled positions. By understanding its function, purpose, and context, you can effectively use the phrase "low-paying" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly compensated

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the compensation received.

underpaid

A more concise and direct synonym for low-paying.

low-wage

Focuses on the wage aspect, synonymous with low-paying.

inadequately paid

Highlights the insufficient nature of the payment.

badly paid

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing the poor quality of the pay.

meagerly remunerated

A more formal and emphatic way to describe inadequate payment.

minimally salaried

Focuses specifically on jobs with very small salaries.

scarcely profitable

Describes situations that yield little financial gain.

unlucrative

Emphasizes the lack of profit or financial gain.

cheap

A more informal way of describing a low-paying situation.

FAQs

How can I use "low-paying" in a sentence?

You can use "low-paying" to describe jobs or industries that offer minimal compensation, such as, "Many recent graduates are forced to take "low-paying jobs" to gain experience."

What are some alternatives to saying "low-paying"?

Alternatives include "underpaid", "low-wage", or "poorly compensated", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "low-paying" to describe a job that requires a lot of skill?

While skill level and pay are often correlated, a job requiring significant skill can still be described as "low-paying" if the compensation doesn't reflect the skill required. This highlights an imbalance between skill and compensation.

What is the difference between "low-paying" and "entry-level"?

"Entry-level" refers to a position's level of experience required, while "low-paying" describes the compensation. An entry-level job can be "low-paying", but not all "low-paying" jobs are entry-level.