payroll

USAGE SUMMARY

"payroll" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is usually used as a noun to refer to the total amount of money paid to employees by an employer in a given period of time. An example sentence would be "The company's payroll for this month is higher than usual due to overtime wages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could be compensated through some kind of rebate, or a cut in other taxes; it's been proposed, for example, that revenues from a carbon tax could be used to reduce the payroll tax.

The Economist

The payroll tax now provides a third of federal revenues.

The Economist

But I hadn't: like a shoe store, or a restaurant, I was running a business with the obligatory expenses, like a full staff on payroll, a shop to rent, and a million dollars worth of pre-ordered shoes to design, inspect, manufacture and mail out to my customers.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Wednesday private payroll supplier ADP released its latest national employment report, which said 179,000 jobs were added in May, a significant slump after two consecutive months of growth over 200,000.

The Guardian - Business

Related: I start the day with anti-depressants and end wishing I didn't work in NHS payroll Investment in this workforce also makes economic sense, according to Skills for Health, which calculates that changing the skill mix and increasing and developing the support workforce by 1% has the potential to save £100m a year.

The Guardian

The deal leaves untouched a scheduled 2 percentage point increase in the payroll tax, ending a temporary reduction enacted two years ago to help revive the economy.

The Guardian

If his employer doesn't want to keep Charlie's dad on the payroll after 60 or 65, and he's got a mountain of debt, then there's a risk that he'll end up as a burden on social services – and taxpayers, including you.

The Guardian - Money

Over the prior 12 months, nonfarm payroll employment growth has now averaged 197,000 per month.

The Guardian - Business

Friday's government jobs report followed a slightly less buoyant assessment of the jobs market from ADP, the US's largest payroll company.

The Guardian - Business

Any member of the government "payroll vote" – ministers and their parliamentary aides – who defy a three-line whip would have to resign.

The Guardian

The Kerr murder has again raised the spectre of collusion between the security forces and agents belonging to paramilitary organisations who commit crimes while on the state's payroll.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial reports or business operations, use "payroll" to specifically refer to the list of employees and their wages, or the total amount of money a company spends on salaries.

Common error

Avoid using "payroll" interchangeably with terms like "revenue" or "budget". "Payroll" specifically relates to employee compensation, while "revenue" refers to the income generated by a business, and "budget" is an overall financial plan. Using these terms incorrectly can lead to misunderstandings about a company's financial state.

Linguistic Context

The word "payroll" primarily functions as a noun, referring either to the list of employees and their salaries or to the total amount of money paid by a company to its employees. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "payroll" is a common noun that refers to the list of employees and their earnings, or the total compensation paid by a company. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, business, and formal contexts. While "payroll" is primarily used in neutral settings, understanding its specific meaning is essential to avoid confusion with related terms like "wages" or "revenue". To enhance writing clarity, use "payroll" when referring specifically to employee compensation, and consider alternatives like "wage bill" or "salary expenditure" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wage bill

Refers to the total cost of wages paid by a company, similar to payroll but focuses on the monetary aspect.

salary expenditure

Highlights the expense associated with salaries, providing a financial perspective on payroll.

employee compensation

A broader term encompassing all forms of payment and benefits received by employees, not just salaries.

personnel expenses

Focuses on the costs associated with employing personnel, including salaries, benefits, and taxes.

staff remuneration

Emphasizes the payment provided to staff for their services, offering a more formal tone.

workforce salaries

Specifically refers to the salaries paid to the entire workforce, highlighting the collective aspect.

pay structure

Indicates the system and levels of payment within an organization, related to how payroll is organized.

remuneration package

Encompasses all the elements of employee pay, including salary, bonuses, and benefits, providing a comprehensive view.

compensation budget

Refers to the allocated funds for employee compensation, indicating the financial planning aspect.

labor costs

Focuses on the expenses related to employing labor, including wages, benefits, and taxes, offering an economic perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "payroll" in a sentence?

You can use "payroll" to refer to the list of employees and their salaries, as in "The company manages its "payroll" through an automated system". Or, you can use it to refer to the total amount of money paid to employees, such as "The annual "payroll" exceeds $1 million".

What's the difference between "payroll" and "wages"?

"Payroll" refers to the entire system of compensating employees, or the total amount paid. "Wages", on the other hand, specifically refers to the money paid to employees for their work. Wages are a component of the overall "payroll".

Which is correct, "payroll tax" or "payroll taxes"?

Both "payroll tax" and "payroll taxes" can be correct, depending on the context. "Payroll tax" can refer to the general concept of taxes levied on wages and salaries, while "payroll taxes" refers to specific taxes like Social Security and Medicare taxes.

What are some alternatives to the term "payroll"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "wage bill", "salary expenditure", or "employee compensation" when referring to the total cost of employee pay. When discussing the system or list, using alternatives may not be suitable.