UK supermarket workers have received another round of pay rises in 2026, with most major grocery chains now paying at least £13 an hour for standard store roles.
Aldi currently has the highest national starting rate among the major supermarkets compared, at £13.50 per hour, while Lidl follows at £13.45. Lidl also offers one of the highest published rates for longer-serving London colleagues, reaching £15.30 per hour.
- Highest National Starting Pay: Aldi at £13.50 per hour
- Lidl Starting Pay: £13.45 nationally and £14.80 in London
- 2026 National Living Wage: £12.71 per hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over
- Current Real Living Wage: £13.45 nationally and £14.80 in London
- Next Confirmed Change: Morrisons Customer Assistant pay rises to £13.11 on 26 October 2026
Last Updated: 17.09.2026
What Are The Latest Supermarket Pay Rates In 2026?
Competition over supermarket wages has remained strong during 2026 as retailers balance rising employment costs with the need to recruit and retain store workers.
The rates below compare standard entry-level or customer-facing store roles. Actual pay can differ for supervisors, warehouse staff, drivers, specialist workers and colleagues receiving additional shift premiums.
| Supermarket | National Hourly Rate | London Or M25 Rate | Higher Published Rate | Effective Date |
| Aldi | £13.50 | £14.88 | £14.47 nationally, £15.20 London | 1 April 2026 |
| Lidl | £13.45 | £14.80 | £14.45 nationally, £15.30 London | 1 March 2026 |
| M&S | £13.41 | £14.74 | Role-dependent | 1 April 2026 |
| Tesco | £13.28 | £14.55 | Role-dependent | 29 March 2026 |
| Waitrose | £13.25 | £14.80 | £14.31 nationally, £15.98 M25 for some specialist roles | 1 April 2026 |
| Sainsbury’s | £13.23 | £14.54 | Role-dependent | March 2026 |
| Asda | £13.10 | £14.35 | Role-dependent | 5 July 2026 |
| Co-op | £13.04 | Location-dependent | Role-dependent | 1 April 2026 |
| Morrisons | £13.00 | Location-dependent | £13.11 from 26 October | 20 July 2026 |
Aldi’s current rate followed a £42 million investment in colleague pay. Store Assistants moved to £13.50 nationally and £14.88 inside the M25 from April, with higher rates available after the required length of service.
Lidl increased entry-level pay to £13.45 nationally and £14.80 in London from 1 March. Longer-serving colleagues can receive as much as £14.45 nationally or £15.30 in London.
How Much Did Supermarket Pay Increase From 2025 To 2026?
Looking only at current hourly rates hides an important part of the supermarket pay rise story. Several retailers have increased wages substantially from their late-2025 levels.
| Supermarket | Previous Rate | 2026 Rate | Increase Per Hour | Approximate Increase |
| Aldi | £13.02 | £13.50 | 48p | 3.7% |
| Lidl | £13.00 | £13.45 | 45p | 3.5% |
| M&S | £12.60 | £13.41 | 81p | 6.4% |
| Tesco | £12.64 | £13.28 | 64p | 5.1% |
| Waitrose | £12.40 | £13.25 | 85p | 6.9% |
| Sainsbury’s | £12.60 | £13.23 | 63p | 5% |
| Asda | £12.60 | £13.10 | 50p | 4% |
| Co-op | £12.60 | £13.04 | 44p | 3.5% |
| Morrisons | £12.21 | £13.00 currently | 79p | Around 6.5% |
Morrisons is slightly different because its 2026 settlement is being introduced in stages. Customer Assistant pay moved to £12.81 from 30 March, £13.00 from 20 July and is scheduled to rise again to £13.11 from 26 October 2026.
Tesco’s increase took its standard store and online fulfilment rate from £12.64 to £13.28. The retailer described the change as a 5.1% pay award, backed by an investment of more than £200 million.
Which Supermarket Pays The Most In 2026?
For standard national starting pay, Aldi currently leads at £13.50 per hour.
Lidl is only 5p behind at £13.45, while M&S pays at least £13.41 for UK Customer Assistants.
The ranking changes when location and length of service are taken into account.
Lidl’s published London rate can reach £15.30 with service, while Aldi reaches £15.20. Waitrose also publishes higher rates for Partners who develop enhanced skills and move into qualifying specialist positions.
This means there is no single pay figure that applies to every supermarket worker. Location, experience, responsibilities and shift arrangements can materially change earnings.
Supermarket Pay Rise Timeline For 2026
Supermarket pay changes did not all happen on the same date.
| Date | Major Pay Change |
| 1 March | Lidl increased national starting pay to £13.45 |
| 29 March | Tesco increased standard hourly pay to £13.28 |
| 30 March | Morrisons began the first stage of its 2026 pay settlement |
| 1 April | Aldi moved to £13.50 nationally |
| 1 April | M&S moved to at least £13.41 |
| 1 April | Waitrose shop-floor minimum increased to £13.25 |
| 1 April | Co-op Customer Team Member pay increased to £13.04 |
| March | Sainsbury’s increased national hourly pay to £13.23 |
| 5 July | Asda completed its increase to £13.10 nationally |
| 20 July | Morrisons increased Customer Assistant pay to £13.00 |
| 26 October | Morrisons is scheduled to increase Customer Assistant pay to £13.11 |
Aldi actually announced an initial £13.35 national rate for March before raising the figure again to £13.50 from April, illustrating how quickly supermarket pay competition moved during the first part of 2026.
How Do Supermarket Wages Compare With The National Living Wage?
The statutory National Living Wage increased to £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026 for eligible workers aged 21 and over.
Every national supermarket rate in the main comparison is therefore currently above that benchmark.
However, the statutory National Living Wage is different from the voluntary real Living Wage calculated according to living costs.
The current real Living Wage is:
- UK Rate: £13.45 per hour
- London Rate: £14.80 per hour
Supermarket Pay Against The Real Living Wage
| Supermarket | National Rate | Position Against £13.45 |
| Aldi | £13.50 | 5p Above |
| Lidl | £13.45 | Matches |
| M&S | £13.41 | 4p Below |
| Tesco | £13.28 | 17p Below |
| Waitrose | £13.25 | 20p Below |
| Sainsbury’s | £13.23 | 22p Below |
| Asda | £13.10 | 35p Below |
| Co-op | £13.04 | 41p Below |
| Morrisons | £13.00 | 45p Below |
Matching or exceeding the voluntary rate does not automatically mean that every part of a supermarket business is accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. Accreditation has additional requirements and should be considered separately from the hourly rate alone.
The Living Wage Foundation is due to announce its 2026/27 rates in October 2026, meaning this comparison could change again before the end of the year.
How Much Extra Could Workers Earn After The 2026 Pay Rise?
Small hourly increases can become much more significant over a full working year.
A worker completing 37.5 paid hours each week for 52 weeks works approximately 1,950 paid hours annually.
Using that assumption:
| Supermarket | Increase Per Hour | Approximate Extra Annual Gross Pay |
| Aldi | 48p | £936 |
| Lidl | 45p | £878 |
| M&S | 81p | £1,580 |
| Tesco | 64p | £1,248 |
| Waitrose | 85p | £1,658 |
| Sainsbury’s | 63p | £1,229 |
| Asda | 50p | £975 |
| Co-op | 44p | £858 |
These figures are illustrations rather than guaranteed increases. Contracted hours, unpaid breaks, overtime, absence and the exact date on which a pay rise took effect will change actual annual earnings.
Sainsbury’s says its 5% increase can be worth more than £1,200 a year for many full-time hourly-paid colleagues, which broadly aligns with the calculation above.
How Do Supermarket Employee Benefits Compare?
Basic hourly pay is only one part of supermarket employment.
A retailer offering a slightly lower headline wage could still provide a competitive overall package if employees receive valuable discounts, paid breaks, pension contributions or other benefits.
| Supermarket | Examples Of Employee Benefits |
| Aldi | Paid breaks, enhanced family benefits and service-based pay progression |
| Lidl | Service-based pay progression and enhanced family leave |
| M&S | 20% employee discount, Sharesave and pension contributions |
| Tesco | Colleague Clubcard and other employee benefits |
| Waitrose | Employee discounts, pension contribution, subsidised meals and wellbeing benefits |
| Sainsbury’s | Staff discount, free food during shifts, pension and Sharesave |
| Co-op | Staff discount, pension and wellbeing benefits |
| Morrisons | One-off payments included for eligible workers under the 2026 deal |
Aldi says paid breaks are worth around £1,500 per year for an average store colleague.
M&S combines its £13.41 hourly rate with an uncapped 20% colleague discount and pension benefits. Waitrose’s parent, the John Lewis Partnership, also offers benefits including pension contributions of up to 12%, employee discounts and subsidised meals.
For someone choosing between supermarket jobs, guaranteed hours and the benefits they will actually use can matter as much as a difference of a few pence in hourly pay.
Do Different Supermarket Roles Pay More?
The headline supermarket pay rise normally refers to standard shop-floor positions such as Store Assistant, Customer Assistant or Customer Team Member roles.
Higher rates may be available for:
- Team Leaders: Greater responsibility can attract a higher hourly rate
- Specialist Roles: Skilled counters, technical duties or additional responsibilities may pay more
- Night Workers: Some retailers offer shift premiums
- Warehouse Staff: Distribution pay can operate under separate agreements
- Delivery Drivers: Rates can differ according to location and contract
- Longer-Serving Staff: Aldi and Lidl publish higher rates based on service
Waitrose provides a clear example. Its normal minimum shop-floor rate is £13.25 nationally, but qualifying Partners who develop enhanced skills and take specialist roles can earn £14.31 per hour, increasing to £15.98 inside the M25.
Co-op vacancies also show the difference between roles. Standard Customer Team Member jobs currently advertise £13.04 nationally, while some Customer Team Leader vacancies advertise higher rates.
How Were The 2026 Supermarket Pay Deals Agreed?
Some supermarket pay awards followed negotiations with trade unions rather than being introduced solely through employer announcements.
Tesco reached its 2026 agreement with Usdaw, taking the standard hourly rate to £13.28. Sainsbury’s 5% increase was also publicly welcomed by Usdaw.
Morrisons used a formal colleague ballot for its national agreement. The proposed deal received 91.87% support, allowing the staged increases to proceed through March, July and October.
These negotiations matter because supermarket pay packages can include more than a basic hourly increase. They may also cover premiums, one-off payments and conditions attached to different roles.
Are Supermarket Pay Rises Above Inflation In 2026?
The inflation comparison has changed during the year.
The latest Office for National Statistics release shows that Consumer Prices Index inflation was 3.1% in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 2.9% in July.
Several supermarket pay awards were larger than 3.1%, including:
- Waitrose:9%
- M&S: At least 6.4%
- Tesco:1%
- Sainsbury’s: 5%
- Asda: Around 4%
- Co-op: Around 3.5%
However, describing an individual worker as financially better off requires more than comparing two percentages.
Housing costs, food bills, transport, energy prices, pension contributions and changes in working hours all affect disposable income.
The timing also matters. Supermarket pay awards were announced at different points in the year when the inflation rate was different.
What Do The Pay Rises Mean For Supermarket Workers In Preston?
Supermarket employees working in Preston would normally fall under national pay structures rather than London or M25 rates.
For a worker completing 37.5 paid hours each week, the current national starting rates would produce approximate annual gross earnings of:
| Supermarket | Hourly Rate | Approximate Annual Gross Pay |
| Aldi | £13.50 | £26,325 |
| Lidl | £13.45 | £26,228 |
| M&S | £13.41 | £26,150 |
| Tesco | £13.28 | £25,896 |
| Waitrose | £13.25 | £25,838 |
| Sainsbury’s | £13.23 | £25,798 |
| Asda | £13.10 | £25,545 |
| Co-op | £13.04 | £25,428 |
| Morrisons | £13.00 | £25,350 |
These are gross estimates and should not be treated as guaranteed salaries. Many supermarket positions are part-time, and actual pay depends on contracted hours, overtime, premiums and whether breaks are paid.
What Could Change Next For Supermarket Pay?
The 2026 supermarket pay picture is not completely settled.
Morrisons October Pay Rise
Morrisons has already agreed another increase. Customer Assistant pay is scheduled to move from £13.00 to £13.11 per hour on 26 October 2026.
Other established hourly rates covered by the same agreement are due to increase by 11p at the same time.
New Real Living Wage Rates
The current £13.45 UK real Living Wage and £14.80 London rate relate to the 2025/26 calculation.
The Living Wage Foundation says the 2026/27 rates will be announced in October 2026. A higher rate could create another benchmark for supermarkets deciding their 2027 wage budgets.
Early 2027 Pay Outlook
Major supermarket pay announcements often arrive between January and March ahead of the April National Living Wage change.
Future decisions are likely to be influenced by:
- The 2027 Statutory Minimum Wage
- The New Real Living Wage
- Inflation
- Recruitment And Retention Pressures
- Retailer Employment Costs
- Trade Union Negotiations
- Competition Between Major Supermarkets
Workers should therefore expect the supermarket wage comparison to change again as retailers begin setting their 2027 rates.
Conclusion
The supermarket pay rise in 2026 has pushed standard hourly wages higher across almost every major UK grocery chain.
Aldi currently offers the highest national starting rate in this comparison at £13.50 per hour, closely followed by Lidl at £13.45. M&S, Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s all pay more than £13.20 nationally, while Asda, Co-op and Morrisons have also moved above £13.
The headline hourly rate does not tell the entire story. Paid breaks, pension contributions, staff discounts, family leave, guaranteed hours, service-based increases and shift premiums can substantially change the real value of a supermarket job.
Workers comparing vacancies should therefore check the current job advertisement, location, contracted hours and benefits rather than choosing solely on the national headline rate.
With Morrisons increasing pay again in October and new real Living Wage rates due during the same month, supermarket pay remains an area where further changes are likely before the end of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Supermarket Pays The Most In 2026?
Aldi currently offers the highest national starting rate among the major supermarkets compared, at £13.50 per hour. Lidl follows at £13.45.
How Much Does Aldi Pay Per Hour In 2026?
Aldi Store Assistants receive £13.50 per hour nationally and £14.88 inside the M25. Rates can increase to £14.47 nationally and £15.20 in London based on length of service.
How Much Does Lidl Pay Per Hour In 2026?
Lidl pays £13.45 per hour nationally and £14.80 in London at entry level. Longer-serving colleagues can earn up to £14.45 nationally and £15.30 in London.
How Much Does Tesco Pay Per Hour In 2026?
Tesco increased its standard hourly rate to £13.28 from 29 March 2026. Eligible colleagues inside the M25 receive a London allowance that takes their rate to £14.55.
Are Supermarket Workers Paid Above The National Living Wage?
The major supermarket national rates compared here are currently above the statutory £12.71 National Living Wage for eligible workers aged 21 and over. They do not all meet the higher voluntary real Living Wage of £13.45.
Which Supermarket Offers The Best Employee Benefits?
Benefits vary significantly. Aldi provides paid breaks, M&S offers a 20% colleague discount and pension benefits, Sainsbury’s provides free food during shifts and other benefits, while Waitrose employees have access to a wider John Lewis Partnership benefits package.
Will Supermarket Pay Rise Again In 2027?
Further increases are possible, but most major retailers have not yet confirmed their 2027 rates. The new real Living Wage and future statutory minimum-wage rates are likely to influence the next round of supermarket pay announcements.
