SOC 9111 Elementary trades and related occupations

Farm workers Salary

Salary data from ONS ASHE. Some figures may be unavailable due to small sample sizes.

For farm workers, £30,101 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced farm workers (top 25%) earn over £36,139.

About this role

Farm workers perform manual and semi-skilled tasks on farms and in agricultural operations. They assist with livestock care, crop planting and harvesting, machinery operation and general farm maintenance under the direction of farm managers.

Key responsibilities

Assisting with livestock feeding, handling and welfare
Planting, tending and harvesting crops
Operating farm machinery and vehicles
Maintaining fences, buildings and farm infrastructure
Following animal welfare and environmental regulations

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications required, though agricultural college courses (BTEC, City & Guilds) provide structured training. Driving licence essential. PA1/PA6 pesticide certificates and forklift training are valued.

Career outlook

Persistent labour shortages, previously reliant on seasonal EU workers. Automation and technology adoption are changing skill requirements.

Key skills

Practical agricultural skills Machinery operation Animal handling Physical fitness and stamina Self-reliance

Common industries

Arable farming
Livestock farming
Dairy farming
Horticulture
Agricultural contracting

Data coverage

SOC code 9111

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 25,000

Median Salary

N/A

Mean Salary

£27,324

Jobs (000s)

25k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +36.9%Real growth: +3.0%

Farm workers salary: common questions

How much do farm workers earn in the UK?

Farm workers earn a median of £30,101 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £25,601 and £36,139.

Is £30,101 a good salary in the UK?

For farm workers, £30,101 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced farm workers (top 25%) earn over £36,139.

What is the starting salary for farm workers?

Entry-level farm workers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £25,601, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £21,736.

Have farm workers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median farm workers pay has risen from £20,176 to £30,101 — +49% in cash terms, or +8.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).