Salary Law & Legal Definition. Salary is financial compensation an employee receives for performing the job, and part of an employee compensation package. Salary can be on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.Salary may also include overtime pay, bonuses, and commissions.Laws governing payment of minimum wages and overtime may cover salaried employees.alary can be on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Salary may also include overtime pay, bonuses, and commissions. Laws governing payment of minimum wages and overtime may cover salaried employees.