What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
income
Example
Her income comes from her job and rental properties. [income: noun]
Example
The family's monthly income is enough to cover their expenses. [income: adjective]
salary
Example
She earns a high salary as a software engineer. [salary: noun]
Example
He was offered a salary increase after his promotion. [salary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Salary is more commonly used than income in everyday language, particularly in the context of employment and compensation. However, income is a more versatile term that can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between income and salary?
Salary is generally considered a more formal term than income, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.