steep salary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steep salary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a salary that is considered high or excessive, often in a context discussing compensation or job offers. Example: "The company offered a steep salary to attract top talent in the competitive tech industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Blair has already made an extra $21 billionn available to the health service over three years, but much of that is being taken up by steep salary increases for workers.

The New York Times

The Greek leaders have been fighting demands by the troika — the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission — for new, steep salary cuts and tax increases that could risk deepening a five-year recession or adding to Greece's staggering 25 percent unemployment rate.

The New York Times

Some observers suggest that NIH struggled to recruit an NCATS director from outside because an industry scientist who moved to NIH would likely have to take a steep salary cut and divest any drug company stock he or she owned.

Science Magazine

But Worley is making $2.6 million this season, which is a steep salary for a long man.

Los Angeles Times

Its survival was due in part to the reorganization of the six-year preparatory program into a four-year junior college program and in part to steep salary reductions.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But he got a better vibe from the people and atmosphere at Bullock's, located in Los Angeles, so he bargained for a steeper salary.

Forbes

They signed him for one year and $8 million, a steep pay cut from the $13 million salary the Yankees had paid him.

The New York Times - Sports

And despite individual accounts of steep pay cuts, data collected by Dice indicates that salaries for technology workers only dropped in the fourth quarter of 2001, after rising through the first three quarters.

The New York Times

Concerning what they expect as monthly income upon graduation, the choices are presented in Table 2, reflecting a steep increase in salary expectations over the last 10 years, much above public sector salary scales.

Human Resources for Health

If the options are the other kind, the first $70 is taxed at steep rates as salary income when you exercise the options, and only the final $80 is a capital gain.

Forbes

If the union rejects the N.B.A.'s offer, Stern will replace it with a "reset" proposal: 47 percent for the players, with a hard salary cap and steep rollbacks on current salaries.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "steep salary" to describe situations where the high salary is a significant factor, such as attracting top talent or causing budget concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "steep salary" if the salary, while high, is justified by exceptional performance, high demand for the skill, or a specialized role. "High salary" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steep salary" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "steep" modifies the noun "salary". It describes a salary that is considered high or excessive. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steep salary" is a phrase used to describe a salary considered notably high or excessive. While grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare. Its usage is most common in News & Media, and to a lesser extent, in Science and Wiki sources. The term implies that the salary is not just high, but perhaps surprisingly or questionably so. When using this phrase, be mindful of its connotations and ensure it aligns with the intended message. Alternative phrases such as "high compensation" or "exorbitant pay" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high compensation

Focuses on the total value of pay and benefits, rather than just the salary amount.

generous remuneration

A more formal way of describing high pay.

exorbitant pay

Emphasizes that the salary is unreasonably high.

premium wage

Highlights that the salary is above average for the role or industry.

substantial income

Focuses on the overall earnings rather than just the base salary.

handsome salary

An older, somewhat more informal way to describe a good salary.

lucrative compensation

Highlights the profitable nature of the job or payment.

lavish salary

Emphasizes the luxurious or extravagant nature of the salary.

excessive earnings

Highlights the excessive nature of earnings, often in a critical context.

top-tier pay

Indicates that the salary is among the highest available.

FAQs

What does "steep salary" mean?

The phrase "steep salary" refers to a salary that is considered very high or excessive, often unexpectedly so. It suggests that the compensation is significantly above the average or typical range for a particular job, industry, or experience level.

When is it appropriate to use the term "steep salary"?

It is appropriate to use "steep salary" when you want to emphasize that a salary is unusually high, potentially raising questions or concerns. It's often used when the salary seems disproportionate to the work involved or when discussing budget constraints. Other options include "high compensation" or "generous remuneration".

What are some alternatives to saying "steep salary"?

Alternatives to "steep salary" include "exorbitant pay", "premium wage", "substantial income", or simply "high salary" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "steep salary" differ from "high salary"?

"Steep salary" implies that the salary is not just high, but also unexpectedly or questionably so. "High salary" is a more neutral term that simply indicates the salary is above average. The term "steep" adds a layer of subjective judgment about the appropriateness of the compensation.