Agricultural minimum wage changes from 1 April 2025
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 2025 comes into force from 1 April 2025. It replaces the Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2024 and increases the minimum wage rates and allowances.
Minimum wage rates 2025 to 2026
The minimum rates of pay for the five grades of Agricultural worker from 1 April 2025 are as follows:
| Category of worker | £ per hour |
|---|---|
| A1 – Agricultural Development Worker (16-17 years) | £7.55 |
| A2 – Agricultural Development Worker (18-20 years) | £10.00 |
| A3 – Agricultural Development Worker (21 years+) | £12.21 |
| B1 – Agricultural Worker (16-17 years) | £7.55 |
| B2 – Agricultural Worker (18-20 years) | £10.00 |
| B3 – Agricultural Worker (21 years+) | £12.59 |
| C – Agricultural Advanced Worker | £13.48 |
| D – Senior Agricultural Worker | £14.79 |
| E - Agricultural Manager | £16.23 |
| Apprentice Year 1 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice Year 2 (16 – 17 years) | £7.55 |
| Apprentice Year 2 (18 – 20 years) | £10.00 |
| Apprentice Year 2 (21+ years) | £12.21 |
Allowance rates
| Allowance | Rate |
|---|---|
| Dog allowance – per dog per week | £11.18 |
| Night time work allowance – per hour of night work | £2.12 |
| Birth adoption allowance – for each child | £87.85 |
| Accommodation offset allowance (house) | £1.97 per week |
| Accommodation offset allowance (other accommodation) | £6.31 per day |
Other changes
Overtime rules simplified
- basic hours: up to 39 hours per week or as agreed in the contract
- overtime: any hours worked beyond the basic hours. This makes it clear when overtime pay is due and allows for flexible workdays
- guaranteed overtime: overtime that must be worked as part of the contract and is paid even if there's no work to do
Pay protection
- the pay protection provision from 2022, which prevented pay cuts when the grading system changed, is no longer needed because the 2025 minimum rates are higher. Therefore, it has been removed
Training costs
- employers can reclaim training costs if an employee leaves during or within 12 months of completing the training. This only applies to costs paid by the employer and not third-party funding. It doesn't apply if the employer terminates the employment, unless it's for gross misconduct
Holiday entitlement and pay
- holiday pay calculation is now simpler for part-year or irregular hours workers, using a percentage based on weekly holiday entitlement
Unpaid leave
- the provision is updated to reflect that agricultural workers can take unpaid leave for statutory reasons like carer's leave or parental leave. Employers can't refuse these requests but can delay the leave by up to one month
More detailed information and guidance is available at Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales.