moderate salary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderate salary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing compensation that is neither too high nor too low, often implying a reasonable or average pay level for a particular job or industry. Example: "The company offers a moderate salary that reflects the experience required for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The teachers have a moderate salary – you know, $105,000 a year with benefits is a very moderate salary.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the strength of my husband's moderate salary we obtained a mortgage for a detached house with large garden and ran two cars.

The Guardian

A willingness to endure long working hours on a moderate salary is vital, especially when set against the dream salary packages offered to graduates entering the traditional corporate workplace.

The Guardian - Money

It didn't take much, but because of his moderate salary (compared to the Ravens' overall team total) and a decent passer rating that ultimately led to a big win, Dilfer is the runner-up on a list of the 14 best Super Bowl QBs for the money since the 2000 season.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Many were young support staff members earning moderate salaries far below the six- and seven-figure paychecks of top executives.

The New York Times

Research has now found that the education system in Finland offers the best value for money, with teachers achieving high Pisa scores, despite getting moderate salaries and teaching relatively large classes.

The Guardian

Television -- even on a public level with moderate salaries -- is expensive to produce, and in the late 1980's and early 90's the state was contributing two-thirds of the network's budget.

The New York Times

Tensions arose, those inside the company say, as Nomura let Lehman's high-performance-based, low-job-security pay coexist with its own moderate salaries based on seniority and job security.

The New York Times

I suppose, if they be good men, their own delicacy will lead them to be satisfied with moderate salaries.

University of Chicago

Mr Cable's push for more moderate salaries follows the so-called "shareholder spring" of 2012, which led to the resignation of Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey and Aviva boss Andrew Moss.

BBC

To all these different departments of Government, as well as to all others, such moderate salaries ought to be affixed as to place the sense of publick virtue higher in the estimation of the people than the thirst of gain; and lastly, an independent Court of Judicature should be established for civil and criminal matters, to whom every member in the State ought to be subject, even unto death.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a job offer, use "moderate salary" to frame the compensation as reasonable and aligned with the market, implying a balance between expectations and value.

Common error

Avoid using "moderate salary" when you actually mean a salary that is significantly low or underwhelming. "Moderate" suggests a middle ground, not necessarily a negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderate salary" functions as a noun phrase where "moderate" modifies "salary". It indicates a level of compensation that is neither excessively high nor extremely low. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moderate salary" is a grammatically sound and usable term, indicating a level of compensation that is neither excessively high nor extremely low. While not exceptionally common, as per Ludwig, it's found across diverse sources, including news outlets, academic papers, and scientific publications. A "moderate salary" suggests a reasonable and fair compensation, suitable for describing job offers or analyzing economic conditions. Alternatives like "reasonable compensation" or "average earnings" can provide similar meaning, depending on the specific context. Avoid confusing it with "modest salary", which implies a lower pay scale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable compensation

Emphasizes fairness and justification of the salary amount.

average earnings

Focuses on the typical or expected income level.

modest income

Highlights the humble or limited nature of the salary.

fair wage

Stresses the ethical aspect of providing adequate compensation.

decent pay

Implies a salary that is satisfactory and meets basic needs.

middle-class income

Positions the salary within a specific socioeconomic bracket.

competitive wage

Highlights the salary's ability to attract qualified candidates.

typical salary range

Emphasizes the common pay scale for a particular role or industry.

standard compensation package

Focuses on the overall value, including benefits and bonuses.

livable wage

Emphasizes that salary can sustain a basic but acceptable quality of life.

FAQs

How can I use "moderate salary" in a sentence?

You can use "moderate salary" to describe a compensation that is neither too high nor too low, such as: "The company offers a "moderate salary" that reflects the experience required for the position."

What is a phrase similar to "moderate salary"?

A phrase with a similar meaning is "reasonable compensation", which also indicates a salary that is fair and justifiable.

Is "moderate salary" subjective?

Yes, what is considered a ""moderate salary"" can vary based on industry, location, experience level, and cost of living.

What's the difference between "moderate salary" and "high salary"?

A ""moderate salary"" falls within an average range, while a "high salary" is significantly above the average for a given profession or region.