Aldi currently offers the highest national starting pay among the major UK supermarkets included in this comparison, paying store assistants £13.50 per hour from 1 April 2026.
Lidl follows at £13.45 per hour and offers the highest published London rate for longer-serving store colleagues, at up to £15.30 per hour.
Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda, Co-op and Morrisons have also introduced or confirmed pay increases during 2026.
However, the supermarket offering the best overall employment package may not always be the one with the highest starting rate. Paid breaks, contracted hours, staff discounts, pension contributions and progression rates can all affect the real value of a job.
Quick Answer:
- Highest national starting rate: Aldi at £13.50 per hour
- Highest London service-based rate: Lidl at up to £15.30 per hour
- National Living Wage in 2026: £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over
- Voluntary real Living Wage: £13.45 nationally and £14.80 in London
- Best overall package: Depends on contracted hours, benefits, paid breaks and progression
Last Updated: 27.07.2026
What Are the Latest UK Supermarket Pay Rates in 2026?
Most major UK supermarkets have now introduced or confirmed new hourly pay rates for store colleagues. The rates below focus on standard entry-level or customer-assistant positions rather than management, warehouse or specialist roles.
| Supermarket | National Hourly Rate | London or M25 Rate | Service-Based Maximum | Effective Date |
| Aldi | £13.50 | £14.88 | £14.47 nationally and £15.20 in London | 1 April 2026 |
| Lidl | £13.45 | £14.80 | £14.45 nationally and £15.30 in London | 1 March 2026 |
| M&S | £13.41 | £14.74 | Not separately published | 1 April 2026 |
| Tesco | £13.28 | £14.55 | Role-dependent | 29 March 2026 |
| Waitrose | £13.25 | £14.80 | Role-dependent | 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 | Varies by role and location | Role-dependent | 1 April 2026 |
| Morrisons | £13.00 | Varies by location | £13.11 scheduled from 26 October 2026 | 20 July 2026 |
The comparison shows how closely matched the main supermarket employers have become. Only 50p per hour separates Aldi’s national starting rate from Morrisons’ current customer-assistant rate.
According to the official Aldi 2026 pay announcement, Aldi’s starting rate increased to £13.50 nationally and £14.88 inside the M25. Rates rise further to £14.47 nationally and £15.20 in London after the relevant length of service.
The official Lidl colleague pay announcement confirms a starting rate of £13.45 nationally and £14.80 in London. Longer-serving colleagues can receive up to £14.45 nationally and £15.30 in London.
The official Tesco 2026 pay deal increased Tesco’s standard hourly rate to £13.28 from 29 March 2026. A London location allowance takes the total rate to £14.55 for eligible workers inside the M25.
The official Asda 2026 pay announcement introduced its increase in two stages. The national rate reached £13.10 on 5 July 2026, while the rate inside the M25 increased to £14.35.
Which Supermarket Pays the Most in 2026?
Aldi currently pays the highest national entry-level rate among the major supermarket employers compared, at £13.50 per hour. Lidl is only 5p behind at £13.45 per hour, while M&S ranks third at £13.41.
The answer changes when length-of-service rates are included. Lidl offers the highest published London service-based rate at £15.30 per hour, compared with Aldi’s maximum of £15.20.
This means:
- Aldi leads on national starting pay.
- Lidl leads on the highest London service-based rate.
- M&S offers one of the strongest national rates and a substantial staff discount.
- Waitrose matches the voluntary London Living Wage of £14.80.
- The best employer cannot be determined from the basic hourly rate alone.
What Could These Hourly Rates Mean Annually?
The following estimates assume a colleague works 37.5 paid hours each week for 52 weeks. The figures are gross earnings before Income Tax, National Insurance, pension deductions or unpaid absence.
| Supermarket | Hourly Rate | Estimated 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 estimates should not be treated as guaranteed salaries. Actual annual income depends on contracted hours, overtime availability, unpaid breaks, absence, premiums and whether the worker remains employed for the full year.
For example, the 50p difference between Aldi’s £13.50 rate and Morrisons’ current £13.00 rate would equal approximately £975 in gross annual earnings for someone working 37.5 paid hours each week.
How Do Supermarket Rates Compare With the 2026 National Living Wage?
The statutory National Living Wage increased to £12.71 per hour on 1 April 2026 for eligible workers aged 21 and over.
Employers cannot normally pay an eligible employee less than this rate, although the applicable minimum wage can differ for younger workers and qualifying apprentices.
The National Living Wage should not be confused with the voluntary real Living Wage calculated by the Living Wage Foundation. The current voluntary rate is £13.45 per hour across the UK and £14.80 per hour in London.
Supermarket Pay Compared With Wage Benchmarks
| Pay Benchmark | National Rate | London Rate |
| Statutory National Living Wage | £12.71 | No separate London rate |
| Voluntary real Living Wage | £13.45 | £14.80 |
| Highest supermarket starting rate | £13.50 at Aldi | £14.88 at Aldi |
| Highest published service-based rate | £14.47 at Aldi | £15.30 at Lidl |
Aldi’s national starting rate is 79p per hour above the statutory National Living Wage and 5p above the voluntary real Living Wage.
Lidl’s national starting rate exactly matches the voluntary real Living Wage, while its standard London rate matches the voluntary London Living Wage. Waitrose also pays £14.80 inside the M25.
However, a supermarket paying the same amount as the voluntary real Living Wage does not necessarily mean that every part of the business is accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. Accreditation and hourly pay should be treated as separate questions.
Does Higher Hourly Pay Always Mean a Better Employment Package?
A higher basic rate is important, but it does not automatically make one supermarket the best employer. Workers should compare the entire employment package before accepting a role.
Important factors include:
- The number of guaranteed contracted hours.
- Whether rest breaks are paid.
- Overtime and bank holiday premiums.
- Employer pension contributions.
- Staff discounts and free food.
- Maternity and paternity policies.
- Length-of-service pay progression.
- Predictability of working hours.
- Opportunities for training and promotion.
Aldi states that paid breaks are worth approximately £1,500 a year to an average store colleague. This benefit could make its overall package more valuable than an apparently similar hourly rate elsewhere.
M&S offers a 20% employee discount and pension contributions of up to 12%, while Sainsbury’s lists benefits including free food during shifts, a pension scheme, colleague discounts and a sharesave scheme.
Workers should calculate the likely value of the package based on their own contracted hours and the benefits they expect to use.
Are the 2026 Supermarket Pay Rises Above Inflation?
Many of the supermarket pay increases announced for 2026 were higher than the latest annual inflation rate.
The Consumer Prices Index rose by 2.6% in the 12 months to June 2026. By comparison, Tesco announced a 5.1% increase, Sainsbury’s announced a 5% rise, M&S announced an increase of at least 6.4%, and Waitrose and John Lewis increased shop-floor rates by 6.9%.
These figures suggest that the main pay awards were above the latest headline CPI inflation rate. However, an above-inflation percentage increase does not guarantee that every employee will feel financially better off.
The personal effect depends on:
- The worker’s previous hourly rate.
- Changes to contracted hours.
- Housing, energy, food and transport costs.
- Tax, National Insurance and pension deductions.
- Whether any premiums or benefits were changed.
- Whether breaks are paid or unpaid.
The safest conclusion is that the headline pay increases were above June 2026 CPI inflation, but the individual improvement in disposable income will vary.
How Was This Supermarket Pay Comparison Researched?
This comparison uses publicly available information from supermarket corporate announcements, employer recruitment pages, recognised trade-union statements, government minimum-wage guidance and the Living Wage Foundation.
The main table compares standard hourly rates for entry-level store or customer-assistant roles wherever possible. Management, warehouse, delivery, bakery, night-shift and specialist roles have not been included because their rates may differ.
London figures may apply only inside the M25 or within an employer’s defined London pay area. Workers should confirm the rate shown in the individual vacancy and employment contract before relying on a general comparison.
Pay information can also change during the year. Morrisons, for example, increased its customer-assistant rate to £13.00 in July 2026 and has scheduled a further increase to £13.11 from 26 October 2026.
Conclusion
The 2026 supermarket pay rise competition has produced meaningful increases across the UK grocery sector. Aldi currently leads on national starting pay at £13.50 per hour, while Lidl offers the highest published London service-based rate at £15.30.
M&S, Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s also pay above the statutory National Living Wage, while Asda, Co-op and Morrisons have introduced updated 2026 rates.
Hourly pay should remain the starting point for comparing employers rather than the only consideration. Guaranteed hours, paid breaks, staff discounts, pension contributions and progression opportunities can significantly change the overall value of a supermarket job.
Workers comparing vacancies should therefore check the current rate for the specific role, store location, contract and shift pattern rather than relying only on a supermarket’s headline national rate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Supermarket Pay Rises in 2026
Which UK 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 is close behind at £13.45 per hour and offers up to £15.30 per hour for eligible longer-serving London colleagues.
How Much Does Aldi Pay Per Hour in 2026?
Aldi pays store colleagues £13.50 per hour nationally and £14.88 per hour inside the M25 from 1 April 2026. Eligible longer-serving colleagues can earn up to £14.47 nationally and £15.20 in London.
How Much Does Lidl Pay Per Hour in 2026?
Lidl’s starting rate is £13.45 per hour nationally and £14.80 in London. Pay can rise to £14.45 nationally and £15.30 in London after the relevant length of service.
How Much Does Tesco Pay Per Hour in 2026?
Tesco increased its standard hourly rate to £13.28 from 29 March 2026. Eligible workers inside the M25 receive a London allowance that takes the total hourly rate to £14.55.
Are Supermarket Wages Above the National Living Wage?
Most major supermarkets pay above the statutory National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. However, the difference varies by employer, location, role and length of service.
Does the Highest Hourly Rate Mean the Best Supermarket Job?
Not necessarily. Workers should also compare contracted hours, paid breaks, pension contributions, staff discounts, family leave, overtime premiums and opportunities for pay progression. A slightly lower hourly rate may still provide better overall value when benefits are included.
How Much Can a Supermarket Worker Earn Annually?
A worker earning £13.50 per hour and completing 37.5 paid hours each week could earn approximately £26,325 gross per year. Actual earnings depend on contracted hours, overtime, unpaid breaks, absence and shift premiums.
Note
This article compares publicly announced hourly pay rates for standard store and customer-assistant roles at major UK supermarkets.
The information has been compiled from official retailer announcements, employer recruitment pages, recognised trade-union statements, government minimum-wage guidance and Living Wage Foundation data.
Rates may differ according to age, location, job role, contracted hours, shift pattern and length of service. London pay areas are also defined differently by individual employers.
Readers should therefore confirm the applicable hourly rate in the current job advertisement and employment contract before making an employment decision.
