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What is Base Pay?

J. Leach
J. Leach

Base pay, or base wages, is the amount of money that an employee earns for performing duties which excludes any bonuses, raises, or other allowances. Base wages typically depend on the job and the employer. Some companies offer a salaried base pay, while others pay an hourly one. Salaried employees are often given a base amount each year. Hourly employees’ wages can fluctuate depending on how many hours are worked within a pay period.

Base pay often depends on wage standards within a particular country, state, province, or city. It is usually also specific to a particular industry and market. Some organizations have charts to explain and outline the pay structure for everyone who works for the company. The different branches of the U.S. military, for instance, each have pay charts that clearly outline what each position can expect as compensation for work.

Salaried and hourly rates are the two most common forms of base pay.
Salaried and hourly rates are the two most common forms of base pay.

When an employee is hired to a new position, he is often offered base pay that is reflective of his experience and the work he is expected to do. In other words this base salary is typically proportionate to the responsibilities of the position, so the base wage is usually higher for management or executive jobs. In a competitive job market, when employers want to attract the best possible employees, they may offer an increased base wage.

Each branch of the U.S. military has pay charts that outline what each position can expects as compensation for work.
Each branch of the U.S. military has pay charts that outline what each position can expects as compensation for work.

Hourly employees in the United States must be paid, at the very least, the federal minimum wage. Many states have a higher minimum wage than is required by U.S. federal regulations. Wait staff for restaurants may be paid a lower than minimum wage because they usually earn additional tips. Unlike salaried employees, an hourly employee may also be paid overtime and holiday pay for any extra work done beyond his usual hours or during national holidays.

Base pay may be increased by bonuses. Companies may choose to give employees bonuses for outstanding work performance, holidays, and punctuality. An employee may also earn a bonus for completing a specific task in a timely or extraordinary fashion.

Base pay and commission possibilities may be shared with prospective employees during the interview process.
Base pay and commission possibilities may be shared with prospective employees during the interview process.

Promotions can also affect an employee’s base wage. If he is given more responsibilities, his pay will usually reflect this increase. Demotions, on the other hand, can reduce a person’s base wage. Demotions can occur because an employee made a mistake that was not egregious enough for termination, but serious enough to negatively impact his role in the workplace.

A sales team may be paid a base salary and commission.
A sales team may be paid a base salary and commission.

If an employee is transferred within his company, his base pay may change depending on the city and economic climate he is moving into. Companies may also opt to pay for moving expenses for employees that are being transferred. In most cases, these costs are not included in base wage calculations.

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Discussion Comments

jessica500

Does anyone know what base military pay is these days? I sure hope it is a decent wage, considering the wars our service people are being put through.

scifreak

I once worked in a factory that had 3 shifts. For 2nd and 3rd shift, we got an addition to our base pay. My base pay in 2008 was 10.00 an hour, and I worked 2nd shift. So in addition to my 10.00, I made an extra 0.35 per hour. It certainly made the not-so-good working hours more worth it.

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    • Salaried and hourly rates are the two most common forms of base pay.
      By: alexskopje
      Salaried and hourly rates are the two most common forms of base pay.
    • Each branch of the U.S. military has pay charts that outline what each position can expects as compensation for work.
      By: Burlingham
      Each branch of the U.S. military has pay charts that outline what each position can expects as compensation for work.
    • Base pay and commission possibilities may be shared with prospective employees during the interview process.
      By: milanmarkovic78
      Base pay and commission possibilities may be shared with prospective employees during the interview process.
    • A sales team may be paid a base salary and commission.
      By: DragonImages
      A sales team may be paid a base salary and commission.
    • Salaried employees are often given a base amount each year.
      By: Diana Valujeva
      Salaried employees are often given a base amount each year.
    • Seven states require that tipped employees be paid the full minimum wage as base pay.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Seven states require that tipped employees be paid the full minimum wage as base pay.
    • Base pay may include money to cover moving expenses.
      By: iceteastock
      Base pay may include money to cover moving expenses.