hold out vs hold out against

“hold out” vs. “hold out against”?

Since “hold out” could also mean “to continue to resist” or “to stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something.” –is it grammatically right to say: “he can hardly hold out the pathetic wage.” Or is the word “against” needed, as in “he can hardly hold out against the pathetic wage.”

Many thanks in advance!
//Mikko