| Aspect | Bonus | Commission |
|---|
| Payment Type | One-time reward based on performance or company goals | Variable pay based on sales or revenue generated |
| Frequency | Typically awarded periodically (monthly, quarterly, annually) | Earned per sale or transaction |
| Calculation | Often predetermined or discretionary | Directly tied to individual or team sales |
| Purpose | Motivate overall performance, reward achievement | Encourage sales activity and revenue generation |
While both bonuses and commissions are incentives used to motivate employees, bonuses are usually awarded as a lump sum based on overall performance or company success, whereas commissions are directly tied to sales or revenue generated by the employee. Understanding these differences helps employees and employers set appropriate compensation strategies.