Agricultural Minimum Wage Changes from 1 April 2023
All employed agricultural, horticultural and forestry workers in Wales, including workers employed by gang masters and employment agencies, are entitled to at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage.
It is a criminal offence to not pay agricultural workers at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage.
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2023 comes into force from 1 April 2023. It replaces the Agricultural Wages (No.2) (Wales) Order 2022 and increases the minimum wage rates and allowances.
Minimum Wage Rates 2023/2024
The minimum rates of pay for the five grades of Agricultural worker from 1 April 2023 are as follows:
| Category of Worker | £ per hour |
|---|---|
| A1 – Agricultural Development Worker (16-17 years) | £5.28 |
| A2 – Agricultural Development Worker (18-20 years) | £7.49 |
| A3 – Agricultural Development Worker (21-22 years) | £10.23 |
| A4 – Agricultural Development Worker (23 years+) | £10.47 |
| B1 – Agricultural Worker (16-17 years) | £5.28 |
| B2 – Agricultural Worker (18-20 years) | £7.49 |
| B3 – Agricultural Worker (21-22 years) | £10.23 |
| B4 – Agricultural Worker (23 years+) | £10.74 |
| C – Agricultural Advanced Worker | £11.07 |
| D – Senior Agricultural Worker | £12.14 |
| Agricultural Manager | £13.32 |
| Apprentice Year 1 | £5.28 |
| Apprentice Year 2 (16 – 17 years) | £5.28 |
| Apprentice Year 2 (18 – 20 years) | £7.49 |
| Apprentice Year 2 (21 – 22 years) | £10.23 |
| Apprentice Years 2 (23+ years) | £10.42 |
Other changes to allowance rates
| Allowance | Rate |
|---|---|
| Dog Allowance – per dog per week | £9.36 |
| Night Time Work Allowance – per hour of night work | £1.78 |
| Birth Adoption Allowance – for each child | £73.60 |
| Accommodation Offset Allowance (House) | £1.65 per week |
| Accommodation Offset Allowance (Other Accommodation) | £5.29 per day |
The Order also continues to provide pay protection for agricultural workers who would otherwise suffer a reduction in pay as a result of previous changes to the grading structure.
More detailed information and guidance is available at Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales.