paltry salary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paltry salary" is correct and can be used in written English.
You would typically use it to express how low or inadequate someone's salary is. For example, "The company offered me a paltry salary, so I had to decline the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So why forgo 15% of my relatively paltry salary now?

The Economist

Frustrated by trying to feed your family on your spouse's paltry salary?

The New York Times

And so, for Vorontsova, the prospect of not quite being a star, of earning what she saw as a paltry salary, was maddening.

The New Yorker

Because he had sold only 800 cases of noodles that month, 200 short of his sales target, Mr. Li's paltry salary was taking a hit.

The New York Times

If I had a pound for every time I'd endured my senior colleagues wistfully reminiscing about the good old days, I could have comfortably tripled my paltry salary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My other Berlin competition favourite, from veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada, was The Twilight Samurai, about a gentle, retiring widower and low- ranking samurai who must look after an ageing mother and two growing daughters on his paltry salary.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But teachers, who are paid paltry salaries, say they have no choice.

The Guardian

— while low-earners see their paltry salaries as a token of lifestyle freedom".

The New York Times

Finally, the paltry salaries in lower-ranked leagues make the lure of a windfall bribe payment irresistible.

The Economist

Despite the paltry salaries -- in the low four figures -- there is always a clamor for high school coaching jobs in the state.

The New York Times

He said league management was "a lot better at lying than running a professional sports league," had inflated attendance figures and jeopardized the W.P.S.'s existence with paltry salaries, saying some players were essentially "indentured servants".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact of your writing, follow "paltry salary" with quantifiable context. For example, mention the average wage in the industry or region, or specify the number of hours worked per week.

Common error

Avoid using "paltry salary" in contexts where a low salary is expected or understood. The phrase carries a negative connotation, suggesting unfairness or inadequacy. If the low salary is typical for the role or region, consider using a more neutral term like "modest salary" or "low income".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paltry salary" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "paltry" modifies the noun "salary". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used to express dissatisfaction with a low income.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "paltry salary" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a salary considered to be inadequate or insultingly low. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriate usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight financial disparities or express discontent with low wages. While generally neutral in register, the term carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting unfairness or insufficiency. Alternative phrases include "meagre salary" and "miserable salary", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When writing about salaries, it's crucial to consider the context and audience to ensure the chosen phrasing is both accurate and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miserable salary

This alternative suggests a salary that is both small and causes unhappiness or discontent.

minuscule salary

This term emphasizes the extremely small size of the salary.

meagre salary

This option indicates a salary that is deficient in quantity or quality.

pathetic salary

This alternative suggests the salary is so low it is worthy of contempt or pity.

poor salary

This is a more general term indicating the salary is below an acceptable standard.

pitiful salary

This phrase implies the salary is so low it evokes feelings of pity or sadness.

measly salary

This term suggests the salary is contemptibly small or inadequate.

low salary

This is a straightforward and commonly used term for a salary that is not high.

inadequate compensation

This more formal phrase suggests the salary is not sufficient for the work performed.

small income

This is a broader term encompassing all earnings, not just salary, and indicates a limited amount of money.

FAQs

What does "paltry salary" mean?

The term "paltry salary" refers to a salary that is insultingly or ridiculously small; it's so inadequate that it's almost offensive. The term suggests the salary is not sufficient for the work performed or the cost of living.

What can I say instead of "paltry salary"?

You can use alternatives like "meagre salary", "miserable salary", or "low wage" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "paltry salary" in a professional context?

Using "paltry salary" can be seen as unprofessional due to its negative connotation. It's better to use more neutral terms like "modest salary" or "low compensation" when discussing salaries in formal settings.

How to use "paltry salary" in a sentence?

You can use "paltry salary" in a sentence to express dissatisfaction with a low income, for example, "Despite his extensive experience, he was offered a paltry salary for the position."