Agricultural workers
This factsheet sets out any relevant industry agreements and examples of company pay rates which workers can use to check that they’re getting the ‘going rate’ for their job and as evidence to assist in negotiating a better pay deal. See our Get a better deal leaflet for more tips.
Minimum rates of pay and terms and conditions for agricultural workers are set by the Agricultural Wages Boards for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This sheet gives basic information on the rates for England and Wales. For more details, eg. on rates for 'standby time', contact the Agricultural Wages Helpline on 0845 0000134
For pay in Scotland, contact SERAD on 01310 5568400. For pay in Northern Ireland, contact DARNI on 0132 520100.
The National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum rate at which any worker (aged 18 and over) can be paid.Click here for the current rates.
Average Wages
According to the government’s New Earnings Survey for 2001 (latest figures available), the average earnings for agricultural workers are as follows:
| Annually | Hourly |
| Farmworkers |
£14,917 | £5.86 phr |
| Agricultural machine drivers/operatives |
£16,161 | £5.89 phr |
| Other agricultural workers |
£13,014 | £5.60 phr |
NB. annual rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not.
Agricultural workers work long hours: average weekly hours are 46.5hrs for farmworkers, 48.3hrs for drivers, and 41.5hrs for other agricultural workers.
Rates for England and Wales
Agricultural Wages Board (England and Wales)
From 1.10.01. For: 39 hr week.
These rates apply to workers aged 19 and over. See below for young workers' rates. | | |
Class of worker | Min weekly rates | Flexible working rates | |
| 4/5 days | 4/5 days | 6 days |
Appointment Grades
Grade 1 |
£251.62 |
£263.64 |
£268.71 |
| Grade 2 | £232.44 | £244.14 | £248.82 |
Craft Grades
NVQ 3 |
£219.57 |
£230.49 |
£234.78 |
| Certificate | £214.11 | £224.64 | £228.93 |
| Other workers |
£186.03 | £195.39 | £198.90 |
Holidays: 21 days
Payments in kind: up to £19.50 a week or 50p phr can be deducted from pay for provision of a house |
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Rates for night work increase for all classes of worker by 0.95p an hour.
Normal weekly hours include any time during which, by reason of weather conditions, an employer is unable to provide work for any employee who is present and ready to work.
| Overtime rates (per hour) | | | |
Appointment Grades
Grade 1 |
£6.44 | | |
| Grade 2 | £5.96 | | |
Craft Grades
NVQ 3 |
£5.63 | | |
| Certificate | £5.49 | | |
| Other workers | £4.77 | | |
| Young workers' rates | | | |
| Basic pay (weekly) | Overtime (per hour) | |
| 18 years | £157.95 | £6.08 | |
| 17 years | £130.26 | £5.01 | |
| 16 years | £111.54 | £4.29 | |
| 15 & under | £93.21 | £3.59 | |
Casual workers are employed by the hour or day for specific tasks. Minimum rates for casual workers are as follows:
| Basic
(per hour) | Overtime | Night (additional) |
| 19 & over | £4.10 | £6.15 | £0.95 |
| 18 years | £3.50 | £5.25 | £0.81 |
| 17 years | £2.87 | £4.31 | £0.67 |
| 16 years | £2.46 | £3.69 | £0.57 |
| 15 & under | £2.05 | £3.08 | £0.48 |
Your rights
If you feel you are not getting the correct rate, or you need more advice, you should contact the Agricultural Wages Board (for England and Wales) helpline on 0845 0000134. If you live in Wales, you can call on 01222 825111 instead.
The rates set are minimum rates and you should try to negotiate higher rates. Once pay rates have been agreed, they form part of the worker's terms and conditions and you have the right to be paid the agreed rate. Employers cannot change any term of a contract without the worker's agreement. See our leaflet on terms and conditions
Low Pay Unit, Feb 2002
Please note that some information contained in this sheet is from IDS Pay Benchmark, Nov 2001 (Incomes Data Services (www.incomesdata.co.uk))
