diff --git a/core/migrations/0016_worker_pay_type.py b/core/migrations/0016_worker_pay_type.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79a9787
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/migrations/0016_worker_pay_type.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.7 on 2026-05-15 17:06
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('core', '0015_absence_project'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name='worker',
+            name='pay_type',
+            field=models.CharField(choices=[('daily', 'Daily-rated'), ('fixed', 'Fixed salary')], default='daily', help_text='Daily-rated workers are logged per day. Fixed-salary staff (managers) are paid a set monthly amount and are never added to a work log.', max_length=10),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/core/models.py b/core/models.py
index 0d5be01..78f468d 100644
--- a/core/models.py
+++ b/core/models.py
@@ -72,6 +72,22 @@ class Worker(models.Model):
     notes = models.TextField(blank=True)
     active = models.BooleanField(default=True)
 
+    # === PAY TYPE ===
+    # 'daily'  = normal field worker, paid per logged work day (daily_rate).
+    # 'fixed'  = manager / salaried staff: paid a fixed monthly amount via a
+    #            'Salary' PayrollAdjustment, never logged on a WorkLog. See
+    #            CLAUDE.md "Manager / Salaried pay" + the Path-A naming note.
+    PAY_TYPE_CHOICES = [
+        ('daily', 'Daily-rated'),
+        ('fixed', 'Fixed salary'),
+    ]
+    pay_type = models.CharField(
+        max_length=10, choices=PAY_TYPE_CHOICES, default='daily',
+        help_text='Daily-rated workers are logged per day. Fixed-salary '
+                  'staff (managers) are paid a set monthly amount and are '
+                  'never added to a work log.',
+    )
+
     # === SIZING ===
     # Clothing and boot sizes for PPE (personal protective equipment) ordering
     shoe_size = models.CharField(max_length=20, blank=True)
@@ -94,6 +110,11 @@ class Worker(models.Model):
         # monthly salary divided by 20 working days
         return (self.monthly_salary / Decimal('20.00')).quantize(Decimal('0.01'))
 
+    @property
+    def is_salaried(self):
+        # True for managers / fixed-salary staff (pay_type='fixed').
+        return self.pay_type == 'fixed'
+
     def __str__(self):
         return self.name
 
diff --git a/core/tests.py b/core/tests.py
index d8bfd62..2c013fa 100644
--- a/core/tests.py
+++ b/core/tests.py
@@ -3364,3 +3364,22 @@ class DashboardPaidThisMonthTests(TestCase):
         """No payments in the current month → zero (not None)."""
         resp = self.client.get('/')
         self.assertEqual(resp.context['paid_this_month'], Decimal('0.00'))
+
+
+class ManagerSalariedPayModelTests(TestCase):
+    """Worker.pay_type discriminator + is_salaried convenience property."""
+
+    def test_pay_type_defaults_to_daily(self):
+        w = Worker.objects.create(
+            name='Daily Dan', id_number='PT-D1', monthly_salary=Decimal('6000.00'),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(w.pay_type, 'daily')
+        self.assertFalse(w.is_salaried)
+
+    def test_pay_type_fixed_is_salaried(self):
+        m = Worker.objects.create(
+            name='Manager Fitz', id_number='PT-M1',
+            monthly_salary=Decimal('40000.00'), pay_type='fixed',
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(m.pay_type, 'fixed')
+        self.assertTrue(m.is_salaried)