Definition

Noun: A wage increase is a rise in the amount of money paid to an employee for their work. It is an upward adjustment to a person's salary or hourly pay rate.

Usage

This term is used in formal and informal contexts related to employment, labor, and personal finance. It describes the event or the specific amount by which pay is raised. * Employees often hope for an annual wage increase. * The union negotiated a significant wage increase for its members. * The company announced a wage increase of 5% across all departments.

Examples

• The new contract guarantees a wage increase tied to inflation.
• After her promotion, she received a substantial wage increase.
• Workers are protesting to demand a living wage increase.

Advanced Usage

• "to secure a wage increase": To successfully obtain a raise in pay.
  • The team worked hard to secure a wage increase for all staff.
• "across-the-board wage increase": A raise applied to all employees without exception.
  • The CEO approved an across-the-board wage increase of 2%.

Variants and Related Words

• Raise (noun): A common synonym for a wage increase.
  • He asked his boss for a raise.
• Pay rise (noun, chiefly British English): Equivalent to "wage increase."
  • She was delighted with her annual pay rise.
• Salary adjustment (noun): A formal term often used for a wage increase.
  • Your performance review may result in a positive salary adjustment.

Synonyms

• Pay raise
• Salary increase
• Hike (informal, as in or )
• Increment

Related Phrases

• Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA): A specific type of wage increase designed to keep pace with inflation.
  • The cost-of-living adjustment ensured their purchasing power did not decrease.
• Merit increase: A wage increase given based on an employee's performance.
  • Her excellent project results earned her a merit increase.

Noun

1. the amount a salary is increased
   • he got a 3% raise
   • he got a wage hike