Minimum Wage by Age UK 2026
Choose an age, a region and your hours below to see exactly what you must legally be paid in 2026 — by the hour, week, month and year. Covers 16 and 17 year olds, 18-20, 21 and over, and apprentices.
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Rates shown are the statutory National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage from April 2026. The Real Living Wage is voluntary and paid by accredited employers only.
Minimum Wage by Age — April 2026
| Age | Per Hour | Per Day (8hrs) | Per Week (37.5hrs) | Per Month | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over | £12.21 | £97.68 | £457.88 | £1,984.13 | £23,810 |
| 20 years old | £10.00 | £80.00 | £375.00 | £1,625.00 | £19,500 |
| 19 years old | £10.00 | £80.00 | £375.00 | £1,625.00 | £19,500 |
| 18 years old | £10.00 | £80.00 | £375.00 | £1,625.00 | £19,500 |
| 17 years old | £7.55 | £60.40 | £283.13 | £1,226.88 | £14,723 |
| 16 years old | £7.55 | £60.40 | £283.13 | £1,226.88 | £14,723 |
| Apprentice (under 19 or first year) | £7.55 | £60.40 | £283.13 | £1,226.88 | £14,723 |
Minimum Wage by Region — 2026
| Region | Legal Min (21+) | Real Living Wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | £12.21 | £13.85 | National rate applies |
| London | £12.21 | £15.75 | London Living Wage higher (voluntary) |
| Scotland | £12.21 | £13.85 | Same as England — minimum wage is UK-wide |
| Wales | £12.21 | £13.85 | Same as England — minimum wage is UK-wide |
| Northern Ireland | £12.21 | £13.85 | Same as England — minimum wage is UK-wide |
The National Minimum Wage applies equally across all UK nations. Only the voluntary Real Living Wage differs by region.
Minimum Wage Rules by Age
Workers aged 21 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage of £12.21/hr. Workers aged 18-20 receive £10.00/hr. Workers under 18 (above school leaving age) receive £7.55/hr. The minimum school leaving age in England is 16.
Apprentices receive £7.55/hr if they are under 19, or if they are 19+ but in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, apprentices aged 19+ are entitled to the rate for their age group.
There is no regional variation in the legal minimum wage — it is the same across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However the voluntary Real Living Wage has a separate higher London rate (£15.75/hr) reflecting the higher cost of living in the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage for a 16 year old in the UK?
Workers aged 16 and 17 are entitled to £7.55 per hour from April 2026. This is the under-18 National Minimum Wage rate. Workers of school leaving age (16+) are entitled to the minimum wage if they work more than school hours.
What is the minimum wage for a 17 year old?
The minimum wage for 17 year olds is £7.55 per hour from April 2026, the same as the under-18 rate. At age 18, the rate increases to £10.00/hr.
What is the minimum wage for an 18 year old?
The minimum wage for 18 year olds is £10.00 per hour from April 2026. This applies to workers aged 18, 19 and 20. At age 21, workers become entitled to the higher National Living Wage of £12.21/hr.
Is the minimum wage the same in Scotland?
Yes — the National Minimum Wage applies equally across all four UK nations including Scotland. The legal minimum for workers aged 21+ is £12.21/hr in Scotland, the same as in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The voluntary Real Living Wage is also £13.85/hr outside London.