Everyday Office Jargon · Associate level

"Above my pay grade"

"Above my pay grade" means a decision or responsibility that belongs to someone more senior, and the speaker is not the right person to resolve it.

Say this instead: someone senior's call

How "Above my pay grade" shows up at work

Performs two functions at once: deflecting the question and subtly pointing upward to whoever should be answering it. Used most often by people who know exactly what the answer is.

Buzzword

Whether we pivot the product is above my pay grade honestly.

Plain English

Whether we pivot the product is someone senior's call, honestly.

Corporate Rank: Associate · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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