1893 F. W. Hayes i. 58 Competition for employment amongst themselves kept them down to a mere existence-wage.
1921 L. D. Clark 156 The wage fixed must of practical necessity contemplate continuous employment, as an existence wage permits no margin.
2000 R. Bradshaw xviii. 219 Mary's two oldest brothers..had been laid off from the pit since Christmas and were desperately glad of the existence wage Connie paid them each week.