Minimum wage 2026 by age: hourly, monthly, yearly and after tax
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the UK minimum wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices. Full time at 37.5 hours, the adult rate is about £24,785 a year, or £1,780 a month after tax.
How much is the minimum wage per week, month and year?
| Age | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly | Rise since April 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £476.63 | £2,065.38 | £24,784.50 | 4.1% (from £12.21) |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £406.88 | £1,763.13 | £21,157.50 | 8.5% (from £10.00) |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600.00 | 6.0% (from £7.55) |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600.00 | 6.0% (from £7.55) |
Monthly is the yearly figure divided by 12. Yearly is 37.5 hours × 52 weeks.
What is the minimum wage after tax?
| Age | Yearly before tax | Take-home a year | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £24,784.50 | £21,364.44 | £1,780.37 |
| 18 to 20 | £21,157.50 | £18,753.00 | £1,562.75 |
| Under 18 | £15,600.00 | £14,751.60 | £1,229.30 |
| Apprentice | £15,600.00 | £14,751.60 | £1,229.30 |
After Income Tax and National Insurance on tax code 1257L (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), with no student loan and no workplace pension. Workers aged 22 and over earning £10,000 or more are usually auto-enrolled into a pension, which lowers take-home pay. Try your own hours, pension and student loan in the take-home pay calculator.
What will the minimum wage be in April 2027?
| Age | Hourly from April 2027 |
|---|---|
| 21 and over | £13.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £11.27 |
| Under 18 | £8.31 |
| Apprentice | £8.31 |
Who gets the apprentice rate?
Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they are under 19, or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. An apprentice aged 19 or over who has finished their first year gets the minimum wage for their age. For example, a 21-year-old in their second year is entitled to £12.71 an hour.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage per month in 2026?
For someone aged 21 or over working 37.5 hours a week, the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour comes to about £2,065 a month before tax, or about £1,780 after Income Tax and National Insurance.
What is the minimum wage for an 18 year old?
From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for 18 to 20 year olds is £10.85 an hour. Full time at 37.5 hours that is about £21,158 a year, or about £1,563 a month after tax.
What is the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds?
Workers under 18 who are above school leaving age are entitled to £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. There is no minimum wage for children of compulsory school age.
What is the apprentice minimum wage?
£8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, for apprentices under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, apprentices aged 19 or over get the minimum wage for their age.
When does the minimum wage go up next?
On 1 April 2027 the National Living Wage rises to £13.21 and the 18 to 20 rate to £11.27. The under-18 and apprentice rates rise to £8.31.
Is the National Living Wage the same as the Real Living Wage?
No. The National Living Wage is the legal minimum for workers aged 21 and over. The Real Living Wage is a higher, voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation that some employers choose to pay.
Related
Source: GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates, checked 30 October 2026. Take-home figures are estimates, not financial advice. Your pay slip depends on your tax code, hours, pension and any student loan. If you think you are paid less than the minimum wage, contact Acas.