Workers could be paid using two different minimum wage scales - time rates (i.e. a standard sum per hour) or piece rates (i.e. for the number of items worked). The Trade Board assessed the standard working week to be 48 hours, with a maximum of 5 hours to be normally worked on Saturdays.

Time rates varied according to age and experience. The rates reproduced below relate to men over 21 and women over 18. Workers under those ages were subject to lower minimum rates of pay. Workers employed for 'emergency work' received a slightly higher rate of pay.

Minimum time rates (general):

Female workers 18 years of age and over:

From 24 Nov 1919: £1 & 8 shillings a week (48 hours) = 7 pence an hour; £72 16 shillings a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 8 Nov 1920: £1 & 10 shillings a week (48 hours) = 7 ½ pence an hour; £78 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 30 May 1921: £1 & 12 shillings a week (48 hours) = 8 pence an hour; £83 & 4 shillings a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 12 Dec 1921: £1 & 10 shillings a week (48 hours) = 7 ½ pence an hour; £78 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 3 Jul 1922: £1 & 8 shillings a week (48 hours) = 7 pence an hour; £72 16 shillings a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Male workers 21 years of age and over:

From 19 Jul 1920: £3 a week (48 hours) = 1 shilling & 3 pence an hour; £156 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 27 Mar 1922: £2 & 14 shillings a week (48 hours) = 1 shilling & 1 ½ pence an hour; £140 & 8 shillings a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Minimum time rates (Cornwall & north of Scotland):

Female workers 18 years of age and over:

From Jun 1922: £1 & 8 shillings a week (48 hours) = 7 pence an hour; £72 16 shillings a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 28 May 1923: £1 & 6 shillings a week (48 hours) = 6 ½ pence an hour; £67 & 12 shillings a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)