New pay increases for NI agricultural workers to come into effect in Apri

The Agricultural Wages Board of Northern Ireland (AWB) has confirmed changes to pay for agricultural workers, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

At a meeting of the AWB on February 27, 2026, the board agreed the following rates would apply from April 1, 2026:

Grade 1 – Agricultural Trainee: Under 18: £8.00 per hour; 18-20: £10.85 per hour; 21+: £12.71 per hour;
Grade 2 – Agricultural Worker: £13.30 per hour;
Grade 3 – Lead Skilled Agricultural Worker: £13.66 per hour;
Grade 4 – Agricultural Multi-skilled Worker: £13.89 per hour;
Grade 5 – Agricultural Manager: £14.44 per hour.

According to DAERA, 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.

Overtime will now be paid at the same hourly rate as normal working hours.

Other overtime rates will be subject to contractual agreement between the employer/employee.

The accommodation offset has been increased to £60.00 per week.

The operative date for the new rates is the first pay reference period beginning on or after April 1, 2026.

These are specified in the AWB’s Order No 106. Copies of the order will be available shortly on the DAERA website.

Grades

The Agricultural Wages Board is currently revising all grade descriptions to reflect changes to the grading structure.

As a result the previous grade definitions and qualification requirements are no longer applicable and not available.

Updated information will be published on the DAERA website once this new grading structure has been finalised.

AWB

The 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.

It consists of 15 members:

Three appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, one of whom is chair of the board;
Six nominated by the Ulster Farmers’ Union as representatives of agricultural employers;
Six nominated by Unite the Union as representatives of agricultural workers’ interests.

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