Got a question? Check whether we’ve already answered it for you…
An agricultural worker is someone who works in areas like the following:
· Farming and rearing animals.
· Growing produce, including non-edible crops (like bulbs, plants, and flowers).
· Forestry, market gardens, and nurseries.
· Maintaining meadow or pastureland, woodlands, and reed beds.
Agricultural Minimum Wage is a statutory amount of pay provided to workers in the farming industry. Pay rates depend on the worker’s employment status and grade. For example, an agricultural apprentice and a full-time agricultural worker will receive different wages.
Agricultural Sick Pay (ASP) is offered to farming workers who are off work sick. They should receive at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage to be entitled to this version of sick pay.
Pay inequality has been a prominent, ongoing issue in the UK economy for years. Not only through gender, but the government has recently found disparities within ethnic and disability demographics.
When it comes to paying staff, employers must ensure the right amounts are given – especially for those not on full-time contracts. Pro rata ensures these employees are compensated correctly; and that includes wages, holidays, and benefits.
It’s normal for employees to be off work sick every once in a while. No matter what their reasons are, it’s important to follow the correct steps when it comes to paying Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Let’s look at how to offer this payment to employees who are too ill to work.
Peninsula GroupHR and Health & Safety Experts
Pay & Benefits
Book your free HR consultation
Rule out risk and make safer HR decisions by calling Peninsula today. Even if you’re not a client, you can sample free employment law advice from an HR expert
With the recent update to employment rights, the farming industry is set to embrace statutory changes, like to Agricultural Minimum Wage.
Farming businesses must ensure their staff are paid statutory wages that are fair and legal. This doesn’t just keep your business on the right side of the law. Farm workers are more likely to remain in their roles, invest in career development, and strive towards organisational goals.
Farming employers could face serious consequences if they fail to provide proper legal wages. Payment arrears will just be the beginning. You could face losing valuable staff, reputational damage, tribunal attendance, and even business closure. For further advice, contact one of our expert HR advisors free of charge today.
In this guide, we’ll look at what Agricultural Minimum Wage is, who pays it, and what the law states about paying farming workers.
What is Agricultural Minimum Wage?
Agricultural Minimum Wage is a statutory amount of pay provided to workers in the farming industry. Pay rates depend on the worker’s employment status and grade. For example, an agricultural apprentice and a full-time agricultural worker will receive different pay rates due to their skillsets.
Agriculture workers in England must be paid at least the . However, if they were employed before 1 October 2013, they still have the right to Agricultural Minimum Wage if stated so in their contract. It’s important to note that the law on agriculture wages varies depending on where your business is located. For example:
There isn’t a set amount for Agricultural Minimum Wage. Instead, it’s based on a worker’s job grade and category. Let’s look at each of these criteria in more detail:
Grade 1 to 6
A worker’s grade is based on their skills level and qualifications. Their grade level plays a heavy part when it comes to how much Agricultural Minimum Wage they’re entitled to.
If they work for 39 hours a week (not including overtime), they must be paid the weekly rate. If this is not possible, they must be paid the hourly rate. As of 2024, these are the rates for Agricultural Minimum Wage depending on grade:
Weekly Pay
Hourly Pay
Hourly Overtime
Grade 1 (compulsory school age)
N/A
£3.11
£4.67
Grade 1 (above compulsory school age)
£242.19
£6.21
£9.32
Grade 2
£271.44
£6.96
£10.44
Grade 3
£298.74
£7.66
£11.49
Grade 4
£320.19
£8.21
£12.32
Grade 5
£339.30
£8.70
£13.05
Grade 6
£366.60
£9.40
£14.10
Full-time and part-time flexible workers
Flexible workers must be paid at least the weekly rate if they work full-time. Or at least the hourly rate if they’re . As of 2024, these are the rates for Agricultural Minimum Wage depending for full- or part-time flexible workers:
Weekly Pay
Hourly Pay
Hourly Overtime
Grade 1 - 6 days per week
£6.64
£258.96
£9.32
Grade 1 - 4-5 days per week
£6.52
£254.28
£9.32
Grade 2 - 6 days per week
£7.45
£290.55
£10.44
Grade 2 - 4-5 days per week
£7.31
£285.09
£10.44
Grade 3 - 6 days per week
£8.20
£319.80
£11.49
Grade 3 - 4-5 days per week
£8.04
£313.56
£11.49
Grade 4 - 6 days per week
£8.78
£342.42
£12.32
Grade 4 - 4-5 days per week
£8.62
£336.18
£12.32
Grade 5 - 6 days per week
£9.31
£363.09
£13.05
Grade 5 - 4-5 days per week
£9.14
£356.46
£13.05
Grade 6 - 6 days per week
£10.06
£392.34
£14.10
Grade 6 - 4-5 days per week
£9.87
£384.93
£14.10
Apprentices
must receive at least the rate of a Grade 2 worker for Years 3 and over. As of 2024, these are the rates for Agricultural Minimum Wage for apprentices:
Weekly Pay
Hourly Pay
Hourly Overtime
Year 1 - any age
£139.23
£3.57
£5.36
Year 2 - age 16 to 17
£145.08
£3.72
£5.52
Year 2 - age 18 to 20
£196.17
£5.03
£7.47
Year 2 - age 21 and over
£246.09
£6.31
£9.29
Trainees
Trainees don’t qualify for Agricultural Minimum Wage; meaning, they don’t have to be paid for their training hours or holidays. However, employers must be aware of trainee employment rights. It's advisable to pay them for any work they’ve completed through a separate contract.
Training courses
It’s common for agricultural workers to receive – helping to increase their skills and grade levels. If one of your employed workers is on a training course, they should be paid at least their normal wage during this time. This includes any time spent travelling to and from the training location.
Overtime
Working is common in farming, especially during busy seasons. If an agricultural worker completes any tasks outside of their normal hours, they may be entitled to overtime pay. This applies if they’ve worked:
More than 39 basic hours in the week.
More than 8 hours in a day.
Any hours over their normal working hours (outlined within their contract).
On a public or bank holiday.
On a Sunday (if their contract started before 1 October 2006).
Night work
Some agricultural staff perform night work, like milking animals at dusk or during certain harvest seasons. If these workers complete night work between 7pm and 6am, they must be paid £1.36 per hour more than their basic pay rate.
Piece work
In some jobs, agricultural workers are paid per piece of work completed. For example, for every box of fruit they pick and pack. Whilst they may be paid per unit, employers must still pay Agricultural Minimum Wage. Their pay should reflect the hours they’ve worked.
Dog allowance
Dogs are commonly used during agricultural tasks, especially for herding cattle. Despite their role, they need proper maintenance and care. If a worker keeps a dog for their agricultural job, they’re legally entitled to £7.63 a week for every dog they use.
Tied accommodation
Offering accommodation to agricultural workers is a common practice. Especially when farms are located in rural areas, where transport is limited or unavailable. Living areas must legally be safe, warm, secure, have running water, and washing facilities.
If a worker receives a house or ‘self-contained accommodation’ as part of their job, they can be paid £1.50 less than their normal weekly pay. They may automatically get an agricultural tenancy, too. If they receive something other than a house (like a caravan), they could be paid £4.82 less each day they stay there.
On-call allowance
On-call allowance for agricultural workers is two hours of overtime for their pay grade. It’s paid if they’re not at work but have an agreement with their employer:
To be contactable by an agreed method.
To be able to reach their workplace within an agreed time.
If an individual is called into work, they must be paid overtime for the hours they've completed; or for two hours – whichever one is higher.
Agricultural sick pay
Agricultural workers are legally entitled to sick pay. This means they should receive at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage rate whilst off work sick.
Who pays Agriculture Minimum Wages to workers?
Farmers are legally obliged to pay wages to their workers. This can include the Agricultural Minimum Wage, National Minimum Wage, or contractual wage (as long as it’s not lower than the statutory rates). This applies even if you were provided with workers from a licensed ‘gangmaster’. These bodies provide workers for jobs in sectors like:
Agriculture.
Horticulture.
Dairy farming.
Food and drink processing or packaging.
Forestry.
Gathering shellfish.
It’s important for farmers to check whether gangmasters are lawfully licensed before accepting workers from them.
Get expert advice on Agricultural Minimum Wage with Peninsula
Paying statutory wages isn’t just about meeting your legal duties. For employers, it’s about showing support, respect, and recognition to your valuable farming staff.
Peninsula offers expert advice on Agricultural Minimum Wage. Our 24/7 HR advice is available 365 days a year. We also offer tailor-made suitable to your business needs.
Want to find out more? Book a free chat with one of our HR consultants. For further information, call 0800 051 3685.
Guide
Peninsula GroupHR and Health & Safety Experts
Guide
Guide