lohntest

Lohntest is not a single, widely defined term in economics or human resources. In German-language usage, it generally refers to an assessment or evaluation related to wages, and the exact meaning depends on the context. Translated literally, it means “wage test.”

In economic and labor-research contexts, a lohn test can denote methodological approaches that explore how wage levels influence behavior such as job acceptance, retention, or productivity. This may involve experiments, surveys, or vignette studies that compare different wage offers or simulate compensation packages to observe responses. The term is typically informal and used to describe a type of analysis rather than a standardized method.

In HR and payroll practice, lohn test may describe benchmarking exercises or quick checks to determine whether proposed salaries are competitive with market data, living-cost considerations, or internal pay structures. Such tests help organizations decide on adjustments to recruitment offers or compensation schemes.

Etymology and usage: The word combines Lohn (wage) and Test (test) and is primarily encountered in German-speaking environments. Because it is not a fixed technical term, its exact definition can vary between academic papers, policy discussions, and corporate practice.

See also: Wage, Living wage, Salary benchmarking, Wage elasticity, Compensation management.