base pay

noun

: a rate or amount of pay for a standard work period, job, or position exclusive of additional payments or allowances

Examples of base pay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On level 59 and 60 — roughly equivalent to entry-level software engineers — the base pay ranges from as little as $111,000 to as high as $155,500. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 In addition to base pay, all campus presidents are either provided housing or get an annual housing allowance between $60,000 and $80,000. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The base pay staying the same as inflation continues to rise means today’s wage floor is at its lowest value in 70 years, with a purchasing power lower than its 1968 peak. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 July 2026 Two Kings Road employees told See/Saw that, as well as receiving low base pay, workers faced underpayment for overtime after the change in management. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for base pay

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of base pay was in 1862

Rhymes for base pay

See All Rhymes for base pay

Browse Nearby Words

basepath
base pay
base period
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Base pay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/base%20pay. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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