wage earner

noun

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

wage earner

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wage earner¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

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

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

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One more thing to consider: Since you’re the higher wage earner, it’s important for you to maximize your own benefit because it’s the one that determines how much the survivor will get.

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Calling wage earners “businessmen” instead of “struggling working families.”

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Mounzer was the father of four young children, and was the only wage earner in his family, also looking after his ailing father and brother.

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Related Words

• blue-collar worker www.thesaurus.com
• breadwinner