modest salary

USAGE SUMMARY

"modest salary" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a salary that is modest or average in comparison to others in the same field or industry. For example: - "Despite her impressive qualifications, she accepted a modest salary at the nonprofit organization in order to further their mission." - "Teachers in this district earn a modest salary, but their dedication to their students is priceless." - "He was grateful for the job offer, even though it came with a modest salary, as he had been unemployed for several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His modest salary and travel subsidies disappeared.

The New York Times - Sports

Sinclair himself provided a modest salary, and Hölderlin improved noticeably under his care and companionship.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If they later marry or move into administration, they might qualify for a modest salary.

The New Yorker

Haiti is where he stopped and committed himself, on the modest salary of an M.L.S. midfielder.

The New York Times - Sports

Such officers can start work almost immediately, usually at a modest salary.

The New York Times

Executives are seeing only modest salary increases and bonuses continue to fall.

The Guardian - Business

"I told Jeff to take a modest salary because, at the start, he wasn't taking anything.

The Guardian - Sport

We lived on my modest salary and Arabella's part-time nursing.

The New Yorker

Despite Mr. Rothfus's modest salary — top Wall Street lawyers earn substantial seven-figure salaries — the millionaire epithet is accurate.

The New York Times

I'm fortunate that my parents are giving me the time to save money from my modest salary while I'm home.

The New York Times

Zac's father is a carpenter, and she made a modest salary as a licensed independent social worker.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest salary", ensure the context clarifies the industry or role being discussed, as what constitutes a modest salary varies greatly across different professions and locations.

Common error

Avoid using "modest salary" to imply extreme poverty or hardship unless explicitly supported by additional context. "Modest" implies a reasonable, though not extravagant, income.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest salary" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "salary". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. It commonly describes an income that is not high or extravagant but is generally sufficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest salary" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an income that is adequate but not high, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is frequently used in news and media to provide context about someone's financial situation. As Ludwig suggests, while generally neutral, its appropriateness depends on the specific context; ensure it aligns with the industry and accurately reflects the income level being discussed. While "modest salary" is correct, remember there are alternatives phrases that nuance meaning like "reasonable wage", "average earnings", or "small compensation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderate income

Replaces "salary" with "income" and "modest" with "moderate", focusing on the general earnings level.

reasonable wage

Substitutes "salary" with "wage" and "modest" with "reasonable", emphasizing fairness and acceptability.

average earnings

Uses "earnings" instead of "salary" and "average" instead of "modest", highlighting the typical amount earned.

small compensation

Replaces "salary" with the broader term "compensation" and "modest" with "small", suggesting a limited total remuneration.

limited pay

Uses "pay" as a synonym for "salary" and "limited" for "modest", indicating a restricted amount of payment.

humble remuneration

Replaces "salary" with the more formal "remuneration" and "modest" with "humble", conveying a sense of simplicity and lack of extravagance.

meager income

Substitutes "salary" with "income" and "modest" with "meager", indicating a very small or insufficient amount.

low compensation

Replaces "salary" with "compensation" and "modest" with "low", emphasizing the inferior amount of total payment.

basic salary

Focuses on the fundamental or starting salary amount.

entry-level salary

Indicates a salary typically offered to individuals starting their career.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest salary" to describe an income that is adequate but not high, such as, "Despite the challenges, she was content with her "modest salary" as a teacher because she loved her job".

What are some alternatives to "modest salary"?

Alternatives include "reasonable wage", "average earnings", or "small compensation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "modest salary" in formal writing?

Yes, "modest salary" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider the audience and context. In some cases, a more precise term like "entry-level salary" or a specific salary range might be more suitable.

What factors influence whether a salary is considered "modest"?

Factors include the industry, location, experience level, and cost of living. A salary considered "modest salary" in one area might be considered generous in another.