low-wage
UK: ˈləʊ weɪdʒ | US: ˈloʊ weɪdʒ
adj. relating to or earning a small amount of money for work done
n. (often hyphenated) a payment or income level that is below average or insufficient
The word "low-wage" is a compound formed by combining "low" (Old English hlāw, meaning "not high" or "small in amount") and "wage" (Old French gage, meaning "pledge" or "payment," from Latin wadium). The term emerged in the 19th century to describe substandard pay, reflecting societal concerns about labor conditions. The hyphenation preserves clarity in denoting a unified concept (insufficient compensation) rather than two separate ideas.
Many low-wage workers struggle to afford basic necessities.
The company was criticized for its reliance on low-wage labor.
Policies aimed at raising low-wage jobs have gained political attention.
She took a low-wage position while studying for her degree.
The report highlighted the growing gap between low-wage and high-wage earners.