poor salary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor salary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about low wages. For example, "My friend accepted a job, but the poor salary made it difficult to pay the bills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Nick Taylor lists the usual reasons why teaching is unattractive - poor salary, paperwork, etc.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the same time, it may be an extremely stressful period characterized by intensive work demands, lack of job autonomy, poor salary, high degree of work-home interference and severe dilemmas regarding one's clinical skills.

European Psychiatry

By this time last year, I was on the verge of leaving the profession, frantically searching industry job adverts in search of something fulfilling that wouldn't result in a drastic cut of an already poor salary.

The Guardian

There's also the low prestige, poor salary, and difficult working conditions attached to the profession.

Science Magazine

Conveniently, it is fashionable to blame the economy for the poor salary I earn as adjunct faculty at the university.

Forbes

Dis poor salary palava and poor work condition dey affect people wey do dis kain job for most African countries like Ghana, Liberia and Rwanda.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Poland and Lithuania have many of the same problems, including aging teachers and poor salaries.

The New York Times

In Ethiopia poor salaries and working conditions led to staff to quitting their jobs, leaving unfilled vacancies behind.

The Guardian

The young doctors reported back about the difficulties they would face, including poor salaries, lack of electricity and of decent accommodation.

The Guardian

Next door to his compound, a public hospital remains underused because doctors, put off by poor salaries and insecurity, refuse to work there.

The New York Times

Like all the nationalised industries which taxpayers had to subsidise in the past, from British Coal to British Leyland, UK universities suffer from grotesque inefficiencies, low motivation, ministerial second-guessing, poor salaries, and a stifling excess of bureaucracy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing job satisfaction or employee retention, clearly state the specific "poor salary" amount or compare it to industry standards to provide context.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "poor salary" is the sole factor affecting job satisfaction. Consider other elements like work environment, growth opportunities, and benefits to provide a more nuanced analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor salary" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "salary". This phrase commonly describes the condition of receiving an inadequate or insufficient wage, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor salary" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe inadequate compensation. As shown in Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, including news reports, scientific studies, and general discussions about job satisfaction. While synonymous alternatives like "low pay" and "inadequate compensation" exist, "poor salary" effectively conveys dissatisfaction and the impact of insufficient earnings. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, making it a reliable choice for expressing concerns about low wages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low pay

Focuses directly on the insufficient amount of money received.

low wages

Similar to "low pay", but with a slightly broader connotation.

meager income

Emphasizes the scantiness of the earnings.

inadequate compensation

A more formal way of expressing insufficient payment.

substandard salary

Indicates that the salary is below the expected or acceptable level.

unsatisfactory wage

Highlights the dissatisfaction associated with the low earnings.

insufficient remuneration

A formal and somewhat clinical term for inadequate payment.

paltry earnings

Implies that the earnings are insultingly small.

deficient income

Highlights the shortfall in the amount earned.

skimpy wages

Suggests the wages are barely sufficient.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor salary" to describe a job that doesn't pay well. For example, "Despite the challenging work, the main reason for high turnover was the "poor salary"".

What are some alternatives to "poor salary"?

Alternatives to "poor salary" include "low pay", "meager income", or "inadequate compensation", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "low salary" or "poor salary"?

Both "low salary" and "poor salary" are acceptable, but "poor salary" often carries a stronger connotation of dissatisfaction or inadequacy.

What factors contribute to dissatisfaction beyond a "poor salary"?

Beyond a "poor salary", dissatisfaction can stem from lack of benefits, limited growth opportunities, a negative work environment, and insufficient recognition.