Meaning & use
salary matrix
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Meanings
nouncountable
A table or chart that shows the pay ranges for different jobs, grades, or steps within an organization.
Grammar: Use it with an or the: 'The company introduced a salary matrix.' It can be plural: 'salary matrices'.
Patterns
- a salary matrix for something
- be placed on a salary matrix
- move up the salary matrix
New employees are placed on the salary matrix according to their experience.
The salary matrix shows that a senior engineer earns between $80,000 and $110,000.
The union negotiated changes to the salary matrix for all public school teachers.
nouncountablebusiness
A system that links pay increases to specific criteria such as years of service or performance ratings.
Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'under a salary matrix' or 'based on a salary matrix'.
Patterns
- under a salary matrix
- based on a salary matrix
- implement a salary matrix
Under the new salary matrix, teachers receive a raise for each additional year of service.
The hospital uses a salary matrix that rewards nurses for advanced certifications.
Some critics say the salary matrix makes it hard to reward excellent performance.
Word forms
| plural | salary matrices |
|---|
Common combinations
- salary matrix for
- The salary matrix for managers is different from the one for clerks.
- on the salary matrix
- After the promotion, she moved up two steps on the salary matrix.
- salary matrix system
- The salary matrix system was designed to make pay decisions fairer.
- salary matrix scale
- The salary matrix scale goes from step 1 to step 20.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pay scale
- A pay scale is a range of pay rates for a particular job or group; it is often simpler than a salary matrix, which can show many grades and steps.
- salary schedule
- A salary schedule is a list of salaries for different positions or levels; it is similar but may not use a grid format.
- compensation structure
- A compensation structure is a broader term that includes salary, benefits, and bonuses, not just the salary grid.
Word family
Commonly confused: salary matrix or pay grade?
salary matrix vs pay grade
A pay grade is a single level in a salary system, while a salary matrix is the whole table that shows all the grades and steps.
Practice
The company uses a salary matrix to decide how much to pay employees at each level. What does 'salary matrix' mean here?
Choose one answer.
A salary matrix is a structured table that shows the pay range for each job grade or step, not just a list of names or a bonus plan. Option 0 is too simple and does not show ranges; option 2 is about bonuses, not base salary; option 3 is about legal minimums, not an internal pay structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “salary matrix”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.