Pay vs. Salary: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 26, 2023
Pay refers to the amount given for work or a service, while Salary is a fixed regular payment, typically monthly, given for employment.
Key Differences
Pay and Salary both pertain to compensation for work. However, while Pay is a broader term that encompasses any amount given in exchange for work or a service, Salary specifically denotes a regular and fixed amount paid, often monthly, for employment or professional services.
Consider someone working hourly at a restaurant. They might receive Pay for their hours worked in a week, which can vary based on shifts. On the other hand, a manager with a fixed annual amount would receive a Salary, distributed monthly or biweekly, regardless of the specific hours worked.
The word Pay can also be used as a verb, meaning to give someone money owed for goods or services. In this sense, an employer can "pay a salary" to an employee. Here, Salary remains a noun, representing the specific amount being given, while Pay indicates the act of giving.
Salary often implies a level of professionalism or a white-collar job, whereas Pay can be associated with any job, including temporary or freelance work. For example, a contractor might be paid for a job upon completion, receiving their Pay, while a full-time employee in a corporation would have a Salary.
In summary, while both terms relate to compensation, Pay is a more general term, and Salary specifically references a fixed, regular payment for employment.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Amount given for work or service.
Fixed regular payment for employment.
Frequency
Can vary (hourly, weekly, upon completion).
Typically regular (e.g., monthly, biweekly).
Type
General term encompassing various modes of compensation.
Specific mode of compensation, usually for long-term roles.
Usage
Can be a noun ("receive pay") or verb ("pay someone").
Primarily a noun ("receive a salary").
Associations
Can relate to any job, temporary, freelance, or professional.
Often associated with professional or white-collar roles.
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Pay and Salary Definitions
Pay
Compensation given for a service or action.
The artist's Pay was generous for the mural.
Salary
A regular payment for professional or office work.
His Salary is paid monthly.
Pay
Remuneration for employment.
His Pay is competitive for the industry.
Salary
Stipulated compensation for a specific role or position.
The Salary for a software engineer in the city is higher than in rural areas.
Pay
To give money owed for goods or services.
You need to Pay the bill before leaving.
Salary
Regular income from employment or occupation.
With his new Salary, he bought a house.
Pay
The act of settling a debt or obligation.
The Pay for the freelance project was prompt.
Salary
Fixed compensation for services, paid to a person on a regular basis.
Pay
To give money to in return for goods or services rendered
Pay the cashier.
Salary
A fixed amount of money paid to a worker, usually calculated on a monthly or annual basis, not hourly, as wages. Implies a degree of professionalism and/or autonomy.
Pay
To give (money) in exchange for goods or services
Paid four dollars for a hamburger.
Paid an hourly wage.
Salary
To pay on the basis of a period of a week or longer, especially to convert from another form of compensation.
Pay
To discharge or settle (a debt or obligation)
Paying taxes.
Paid the bill.
Salary
(obsolete) Saline.
Pay
To bear (a cost or penalty, for example) in recompense
She paid the price for her unpopular opinions.
Salary
Saline
Pay
To yield as a return
A savings plan that paid six percent interest.
Salary
The recompense or consideration paid, or stipulated to be paid, to a person at regular intervals for services; fixed wages, as by the year, quarter, or month; stipend; hire.
This is hire and salary, not revenge.
Pay
To afford an advantage to; profit
It paid us to be generous.
Salary
To pay, or agree to pay, a salary to; to attach salary to; as, to salary a clerk; to salary a position.
Pay
To give or bestow
Paying compliments.
Paying attention.
Salary
Something that remunerates;
Wages were paid by check
He wasted his pay on drink
They saved a quarter of all their earnings
Pay
To make (a visit or call).
Salary
Fixed compensation paid by an employer to an employee.
She negotiated a higher Salary at her new job.
Pay
Past tense and past participle paidor payed (pād) To let out (a line or cable) by slackening.
Salary
A sum of money given periodically for services.
Teachers deserve a fair Salary for their dedication.
Pay
To give money in exchange for goods or services.
Pay
To discharge a debt or obligation.
Pay
To bear a cost or penalty in recompense
You'll pay for this mischief!.
Pay
To be profitable or worthwhile
It doesn't pay to get angry.
Pay
To coat or cover (seams of a ship, for example) with waterproof material such as tar or asphalt.
Pay
Of, relating to, giving, or receiving payments.
Pay
Requiring payment to use or operate
A pay toilet.
Pay
Yielding valuable metal in mining
A pay streak.
Pay
The act of paying or state of being paid.
Pay
Money given in return for work done; salary; wages.
Pay
Recompense or reward
Your thanks are pay enough.
Pay
Retribution or punishment.
Pay
Paid employment
The workers in our pay.
Pay
A person considered with regard to that person's credit or reliability in discharging debts.
Pay
(transitive) To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
He paid him to clean the place up
He paid her off the books and in kind where possible
Pay
(ambitransitive) To discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.
She offered to pay the bill
He has paid his debt to society
Pay
(transitive) To be profitable for.
It didn't pay him to keep the store open any more.
Pay
(transitive) To give (something else than money).
To pay attention
Pay
(intransitive) To be profitable or worth the effort.
Crime doesn’t pay
It will pay to wait
Pay
(intransitive) To discharge an obligation or debt.
He was allowed to go as soon as he paid.
Pay
(intransitive) To suffer consequences.
He paid for his fun in the sun with a terrible sunburn.
Pay
(transitive) To admit that a joke, punchline, etc., was funny.
I'll pay that.
Pay
To cover (the bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc.) with tar or pitch, or a waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear.
Pay
Money given in return for work; salary or wages.
Many employers have rules designed to keep employees from comparing their pays.
Pay
Operable or accessible on deposit of coins.
Pay
Pertaining to or requiring payment.
Pay
To cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear.
Pay
To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants.
May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy].
[She] pays me with disdain.
Pay
Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon.
For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you.
Pay
To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering (money owed).
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
If they pay this tax, they starve.
Pay
To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised.
This day have I paid my vows.
Pay
To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit.
Not paying me a welcome.
Pay
To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.
Pay
Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will pay to wait; politeness always pays.
'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your wakings.
Pay
Satisfaction; content.
Pay
An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier.
Where only merit constant pay receives.
There is neither pay nor plunder to be got.
Pay
Something that remunerates;
Wages were paid by check
He wasted his pay on drink
They saved a quarter of all their earnings
Pay
Give money, usually in exchange for goods or services;
I paid four dollars for this sandwich
Pay the waitress, please
Pay
Convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow;
Don't pay him any mind
Give the orders
Give him my best regards
Pay attention
Pay
Do or give something to somebody in return;
Does she pay you for the work you are doing?
Pay
Bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action;
You'll pay for this!
She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly
You'll pay for this opinion later
Pay
Cancel or discharge a debt;
Pay up, please!
Pay
Bring in;
Interest-bearing accounts
How much does this savings certificate pay annually?
Pay
Render;
Pay a visit
Pay a call
Pay
Be worth it;
It pays to go through the trouble
Pay
Dedicate;
Give thought to
Give priority to
Pay attention to
Pay
Discharge or settle;
Pay a debt
Pay an obligation
Pay
Make a compensation for;
A favor that cannot be paid back
Pay
Money given in return for work.
She received her Pay at the end of the week.
FAQs
Is Salary only for full-time jobs?
Not necessarily. Part-time roles can also have a salary, but it's more common for full-time positions.
Do freelancers receive a Salary?
Typically, freelancers receive pay for projects or tasks, not a fixed salary.
Can Pay vary based on hours worked?
Yes, hourly workers receive pay based on the number of hours they work.
Does Pay include bonuses or incentives?
Pay can include bonuses, incentives, or any other form of compensation.
Are salaried employees exempt from overtime?
In some jurisdictions, salaried employees may be exempt, but it varies based on local labor laws.
Is Salary always fixed?
Generally, a salary is a fixed, regular amount, but bonuses or deductions can adjust it.
Can a Salary be paid weekly?
Yes, while monthly or biweekly is common, some salaries are paid weekly.
Is Salary the same as wages?
Not exactly. Wages often refer to hourly pay, while salary is a fixed regular payment.
Are bonuses part of the Salary?
Bonuses are typically separate from the base salary but are part of the overall compensation.
Can you use Pay as a verb?
Yes, e.g., "I will pay you tomorrow."
Is Pay given to both skilled and unskilled workers?
Yes, both skilled and unskilled workers receive pay for their work.
Can a Salary decrease?
While uncommon, salaries can decrease due to company performance, demotions, or other factors.
Does Pay always come from employment?
No, pay can be for services, tasks, or goods, not just employment.
What does "net pay" mean?
Net pay is the amount an employee receives after deductions like taxes.
Is Salary always in money?
Primarily, but benefits can be part of a compensation package along with monetary salary.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
