National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage
The legal minimum hourly pay by age and for apprentices, from 1 April 2026.
Minimum wage, under 18
£8.00
Per hour, for workers above school leaving age.
GOV.UK · since 1 Apr 2026 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Apprentice rate
£8.00
Per hour, for apprentices under 19, or 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. Other apprentices get the rate for their age.
GOV.UK · since 1 Apr 2026 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Minimum wage as weekly and yearly pay
What each minimum wage rate works out at for a full-time week and a full year.
| Age band | Hourly | Weekly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over | £12.71 | £477 | £24,785 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £407 | £21,158 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £300 | £15,600 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £300 | £15,600 |
Based on 37.5 hours a week for 52 weeks, before tax and National Insurance.
What's changed
- 1 April 2026 Apprentice rate rose from £7.55 to £8.00.
- 1 April 2026 Minimum wage, under 18 rose from £7.55 to £8.00.
- 1 April 2026 Minimum wage, age 18 to 20 rose from £10.00 to £10.85.
- 1 April 2026 National Living Wage (21 and over) rose from £12.21 to £12.71.