What is the term for the reward for work, including salary, wages, and benefits?

The term that encompasses the reward for work, including salary, wages, and benefits, is remuneration. This concept refers broadly to all types of payment received for employee services, covering not just the monetary aspects like salary or hourly wages but also additional benefits such as bonuses, health insurance, and retirement contributions.

Remuneration is more comprehensive than simply "income," which generally refers to all earnings received by an individual but does not specifically relate to employment compensation. It also differs from "compensation," which, while related, can sometimes refer only to particular forms of payment, particularly in discussions about damages or settlements rather than the entirety of employee rewards. "Refund," on the other hand, implies returning money for an overpayment or unused services, which is unrelated to employment compensation. Therefore, remuneration is the most accurate term to describe the various forms of financial rewards employees receive for their work efforts.