The work done by admin and clerical staff can be undervalued and poorly paid. 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.
The National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum rate at which any worker (aged 18 and over) can be paid. Pay above this remains a matter of negotiation between the employer and worker, union or works council. 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 admin and clerical officers and assistants are as follows:
annually
hourly
Local govt. clerical officers and assistants
£15,444
£8.14
Civil service admin officers and assistants
£13,070
£6.81
NB. annual rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not.
Industry Agreements
There are set pay rates for admin and clerical assistants employed by a local authority or the NHS which apply nationally. In recent years there have been moves within the public sector towards local flexibility, but these rates are still important. If you work for a local authority in England and Wales, or the NHS, and are employed on national terms you can use the information below to check you’re getting the correct rate. If you work for a private company, or for an NHS Trust or similar body, you can use these rates as a guide to help you negotiate your pay.
Local Authorities (England and Wales) From: 1.4.01. For: 37 hr week
Min
Max
Scale 1 - clerical
£9,267
£11,817
Scale 2 - clerical
£11,817
£12,390
Scale 3 - admin assistant
£12,618
£13,500
Scale 4 - admin assistant
£13,764
£15,342
Holidays: 22 days, 27 after 5 years
Local Authorities (Greater London) From 1.2.01. For: 37 hr week
Inner
Outer
Scale 1 - clerical
£11,931-£14,463
£11,214-£13,224
Scale 2 - clerical
£14,463-£15,033
£13,224-£13,797
Scale 3 - admin
£15,264-£16,164
£14,907-£15,171
Scale 4 - admin
£16,410-£17,988
£15,171-£16,749
Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years
NHS Ancillary Staff From 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week
Min
Max
Grade 1 Clerical officer
£8,834
£9,670
Grade 2 Clerical officer
£9,670
£11,037
Grade 3 Higher clerical officer
£11,037
£12,815
Grade 4 General admin assistant
£112,815
£15,546
Holidays: 20 days, 25 after 10 years London allowances: inner-£2,502pa; outer-£1,488pa; fringe-£235pa
Co-operative Insurance Society From 4.6.01. For: 35 hr week
Min
Max
Wage:
£7,838 £9,633
£10,809 £12,833
Holidays: 21 days, 26 after 10 years Allowances: Inner London-£3,796pa; outer-£1,833pa; regional-£975pa Extra: annual lump sum payment
Matshushita Electric From 1.4.01. For: 38.75 hr week
Min
Max
Wage: 2 grades
£11,762
££14,5839
Holidays: 24 days, 28 after 10 years
ADMIN ASSISTANT Kodak From 7.1.01. For: 37.5 hr week
Min
Max
Wage:
£12,994
£14,290
Holidays: 25 days Extras: annual bonus
Severn Trent Water From 1.7.01. For: 37 hr week
Min
Max
Wage:
£9,560
£12,494
Holidays: 25 days Extras: performance-related pay
Nissan Motor Manufacturing From 1.1.01. For: 39 hr week
Min
Max
Wage:
£13,960
£16,281
Holidays: 26 days, 28 after 10 years
AXA Sun Life From 1.1.01. For: 35 hr week
Min
Max
Wage:
£8,170
£13,973
Holidays: 21 days, 23 after 6 years Performance pay
Your rights
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, Jan 2002
Please note that some information contained in this sheet is from IDS Pay Benchmark Directory, November 2001 (produced by Incomes Data Services (www.incomesdata.co.uK))
