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 47 or 48 hours, with a maximum of 4½ 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.

Minimum time rates:

Male workers aged 21 and over (England and Wales):

From 1 May 1920: £3 & 1 shilling a week (48 hours) = £158 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 9 Jan 1922: £2 & 18 shillings a week (48 hours) = £150 16s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 3 Jul 1922: £2 & 14 shillings a week (48 hours) = £140 8s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 1 Jan 1923: £2 & 10 shillings a week (48 hours) = £130 (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Male workers aged 21 and over (Scotland, other than those employed in the Orkney & Shetland Islands):

From 14 Jun 1920: £2 & 16 shillings a week (48 hours) = 1s 2d an hour; £145 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 18 Oct 1920: £3 a week (48 hours) = 1s 3d an hour; £156 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 1 Jun 1922: £2 & 10 shillings a week (48 hours) = 1s ½d an hour; £130 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Female workers aged 18 and over (England and Wales):

From 1 May 1920: £1, 13 shillings & 6 pence a week (48 hours) = £87 2s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 9 Jan 1922: £1 & 11 shillings a week (48 hours) = £80 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 3 Jul 1922: £1 & 9 shillings a week (48 hours) = £75 8s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 1 Jan 1923: £1 & 6 shillings a week (48 hours) = £67 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Female workers aged 18 and over (Scotland, other than those employed in the Orkney & Shetland Islands):

From 14 Jun 1920: £1 & 10 shillings a week (48 hours) = 7½d an hour; £78 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 18 Oct 1920: £1 & 12 shillings a week (48 hours) = 8d an hour; £83 4s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

From 1 Jun 1922: £1 & 6 shillings a week (48 hours) = 6½d an hour; £67 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Piece-work basis time rates:

Male workers aged 21 and over (England and Wales):

From 1 May 1920: 1s & 7½d an hour

From 9 Jan 1922: 1s & 6½d an hour

From 3 Jul 1922: 1s & 5½d an hour

From 1 Jan 1923: 1s & 4½d an hour

Female workers aged 18 and over (England and Wales):

From 1 May 1920: 10¾d an hour

From 9 Jan 1922: 10d an hour

From 3 Jul 1922: 9½d an hour

From 1 Jan 1923: 8¾d an hour