base salary; basic wage
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
the base number used for calculating wages during periods of price instability
archaicA historical term. In times of high inflation, a base wage was set, and adjustments or allowances were added to this base to determine the actual pay, often based on the cost of living index for essential goods.
Before liberation, the wages of many workers were the base salary plus a cost-of-living allowance.
The wage system at that time was very complex, requiring calculation based on the base salary and the price indices of several major commodities.
noun
basic salary; base pay
neutralThe fixed, guaranteed portion of one's salary before any bonuses, commissions, or allowances are added. This is the most common modern usage.
My monthly base salary is eight thousand yuan, with performance bonuses calculated separately.
Sales positions usually have a low base salary but high commissions.
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Before signing the contract, be sure to confirm what the base salary is.