Pay increase for agricultural workers 27/03/25
Date published:
The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland (AWB) has confirmed changes to pay for agricultural workers. At a meeting of the AWB on Friday 7 March 2025, the Board agreed the rates from 1 April 2025. The rates are:
Grade 1 - Applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment
- Under 18 - £8.00 per hour
- 18-20 years olds - £10.00 per hour
- Over 21 - £12.21 per hour
- Grade 2 – Standard worker - £12.50 per hour
- Grade 3 – Lead worker - £12.73 per hour
- Grade 4 – Craft Grade - £12.98 per hour
- Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade - £13.37 per hour
- Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade - £13.90 per hour
Should the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage, as applicable, become higher than the hourly rates set out above then the hourly or other minimum rate will default to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, whichever applies.
The accommodation offset has been increased to £54.71 per week.
The operative date for the new rates is the first pay reference period beginning on or after 1 April 2025 and these are specified in the Board’s Order No 105. Copies of the Order will be available shortly.
The definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available on the DAERA website or by contacting the AWB Secretariat, 1st Floor, Jubilee House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Limavady, BT49 9HO, (Tel: 028 77 442037)
Notes to editors:
1. The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) was established under the terms of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, to regulate the minimum rates of wages, and other related matters, for workers in agriculture.
2. The Board consists of 15 members:
- three members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, one of whom is Chair of the Board;
- six members nominated by the Ulster Farmers' Union as representatives of agricultural employers; and
- six members nominated by Unite the Union as representatives of agricultural workers' interests.
3. This Press Release is issued by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Board.
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5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
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