wage earner

American  

noun

1. a person who works for wages, especially a laborer.

---

wage earner British  

noun

1. a person who works for wages, esp as distinguished from one paid a salary

2. the person who earns money to support a household by working

---

Etymology

Origin of wage earner

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

We can’t start to eliminate the deficit by raising the regressive payroll tax on the back of already overtaxed wage earners.

From MarketWatch

By contrast, wage earners with employers who withhold income taxes from each paycheck may not have that type of flexibility.

From MarketWatch

The consumer-price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, known as CPI-W, is the index used to determine the annual COLA.

From MarketWatch

Not long before, a single wage earner could support a family.

From Los Angeles Times

This is true for both spousal benefits when the higher wage earner is alive and for survivor benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blue-collar worker
• breadwinner