minimal wage

[/ˈmɪnɪməl weɪdʒ/]
nounpl: minimal wages
salário mínimo
1. the lowest hourly rate, daily rate, or monthly rate that employers are legally required to pay their workers
The federal minimal wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour.
O salário mínimo federal nos Estados Unidos é $7,25 por hora.
2. the lowest amount of compensation set by law or regulation for labor performed
Many states have raised their minimal wage above the federal minimum.
Muitos estados aumentaram seu salário mínimo acima do mínimo federal.
In Brazil, the salário mínimo is adjusted annually and is a politically significant issue, as many workers depend on it. In the USA, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009, though many states and cities have set higher minimums. The term 'minimal wage' is less common in English than 'minimum wage', though both are used interchangeably.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
minimum wagebase wagefloor wage
Antonyms / Antônimos
maximum wageliving wage (contextually higher)

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
salário mínimo
Standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
salário mínimo
Same as general usage
São Paulo
salário mínimo
Same as general usage; often discussed in economic contexts
Portugal
salário mínimo nacional
Often includes 'nacional' (national) to specify the statutory minimum

Related Words

wagesalarycompensationlabor lawemployment standardscost of living

Related Idioms & Phrases

earn minimal wage
raise the minimal wage
minimal wage earner
minimal wage job
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