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 gardeners and groundsment are as follows:
annually
hourly
Gardeners, groundsmen
£14,226
£6.22
NB. annual rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not.
Industry Agreements
There are no industry agreements which cover gardeners. However, there are set pay rates for gardeners employed by a local authority, university or the NHS which apply nationally and althere in recent years there have been moves within the public sector towards local flexibility, these rates are still important. If you work for one of these organisations in England and Wales, 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
4 grades
£9,267 - £10,233
Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years
Local Authorities (Greater London) From 1.2.01. For: 37 hr week
4 grades Inner London
£11,931 - £ 12,888
Outer London
£11,214 - £12,174
Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years
Universities (pre-1992) From 1.4.01. For: 38 hr week
2 grades: Basic
£171.25 - £179.92
2 grades: Skilled/supervisory
£188.93 - £198.35
Holidays: 26 days Allowances determined locally
NHS Ancillary Staff From 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week
Min
Max
Scale B (gardening & maintenance)
£163.66
£169.58
Scale C (specialised gardening)
£166.59
£172.63
Holidays: 20 days, 25 after 10 years London allowances: London zone-£36.12 p/wk; fringe-£4.57p/wk
Company Rates
These are examples of rates paid:
Shaftesbury Society From: 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week
Wage:
£8,359 - £10,146
Holidays: 23 days
Wales and West Housing Association From: 1.7.02. For: 37 hr week
Wage:
£7,902 - £8,231
Holidays: 23 days
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, Feb 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))
