← All glossary terms
What is Variable Pay?
Variable pay is compensation tied to performance — bonuses, commissions, or performance-based equity — rather than guaranteed base salary. It's common for sales and leadership roles.
Examples
- A sales rep earning 50% base, 50% commission at plan.
- A 15% annual target bonus for a senior manager.
- Quarterly performance bonuses tied to OKRs.
Why this matters
RaiseCheck separates guaranteed pay from at-risk pay so you can see what your compensation really looks like in a bad year.
Want this applied to your own situation?
SalaryCheck gives you a specific, dollar-amount analysis in about 30 seconds. One-time $9.99, no account, no subscription.
Am I Underpaid? — $9.99