An employer is a person or institution that hires employees. Employers offer wages or a salary to the workers in exchange for the worker's work or labor.

If the employee is paid by the hour, then the money the employee earns is called their wage. If the employee is paid a set rate per pay period, then the money they earn is called their salary. Wages are paid for all hours worked, including overtime, but a salary is typically not paid more for more hours worked than the minimum.