What is the apprentice minimum wage for 2026?

The apprentice minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is £8.00 an hour, the same as the rate for 16 and 17 year olds. It applies to apprentices under 19 and to anyone in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Do apprentices pay tax?

Yes, on the same basis as any employee. In 2026/27 you pay income tax only on earnings above £12,570 a year and National Insurance at 8% only on earnings above £242 a week. A first-year apprentice on the minimum rate for 37.5 hours earns about £15,600 a year, so pays a small amount of tax and National Insurance.

Are apprentices paid for college or training days?

Yes. Time spent on off-the-job training, including college days, is paid at your normal rate. At least 20% of your paid hours must be training, and your employer cannot deduct pay for it.

Do apprentices get holiday pay and sick pay?

Yes. Apprentices are employees, so you get at least 28 days of paid holiday a year including bank holidays, Statutory Sick Pay if you earn enough to qualify, and a written contract.

Which apprenticeships pay the most?

Degree apprenticeships at large finance, technology and engineering employers pay the most, typically £20,000 to £28,000 in year one and £35,000 to £50,000 on completion. Nuclear, rail, energy and aerospace programmes are also near the top.

Apprentice pay, 2026/27

How much do apprentices get paid?

The legal minimum, when it goes up, what comes off for tax, and which apprenticeships pay far more than the minimum from day one.

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How much do apprentices get paid in the UK?

UK apprentices must be paid at least £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026 if they are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. After year one, apprentices aged 19 and over move to the full minimum wage for their age, £10.85 at 18 to 20 and £12.71 at 21 plus. Many employers pay more, and degree apprenticeships often start at £20,000 or above.

Last reviewed 12 September 2026 by the Shine careers team.

The apprentice minimum wage, stage by stage

Under 19, any year

£8.00 an hour minimum

The apprentice rate applies for the whole apprenticeship while you are 16, 17 or 18.

19 or over, first year

£8.00 an hour minimum

The apprentice rate applies for the first 12 months only, however old you are.

19 or 20, after year one

£10.85 an hour minimum

You move to the 18 to 20 minimum wage the day you finish your first year.

21 or over, after year one

£12.71 an hour minimum

You move to the National Living Wage. On 37.5 hours that is about £24,785 a year.

Source: GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage rates. All other age rates are in minimum wage by age.

What apprentices are actually paid, by sector

Typical first-year pay advertised by UK employers in 2024 to 2026. Always check the specific advert; two apprenticeships with the same title can differ by £10,000.

Degree apprenticeships (finance, tech, engineering)

PwC, Deloitte, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, BT and the big banks recruit at 18 and pay graduate-style salaries by completion.

£20,000 to £28,000 in year one

Nuclear, rail, energy and utilities

Safety-critical sectors with structured pay scales and shift allowances.

£18,000 to £24,000 in year one

Engineering and manufacturing (Level 3)

Rises each year of a typical four-year programme, often with overtime.

£15,000 to £20,000 in year one

Construction trades (Level 2 and 3)

Pay jumps sharply once qualified; many trades earn above the UK median within a few years.

Minimum rate to £16,000 in year one

Digital, marketing and business admin (Level 3)

Wide range. Larger employers and London roles sit at the top.

£14,000 to £20,000 in year one

Hairdressing, hospitality, care and retail (Level 2)

Most likely to pay exactly the legal minimum in year one. Check the advert before you apply.

At or close to the minimum rate

The full ranking of well-paid routes without a degree is in high-paying careers.

What comes off an apprentice payslip

Income tax

Nothing on the first £12,570 a year, then 20%. Most first-year apprentices on the minimum rate pay a few pounds a week at most.

National Insurance

8% on anything above £242 a week, from age 16. Nothing below that.

Pension

From 22 you are auto-enrolled if you earn over £10,000 a year. Under 22 you can opt in and your employer must contribute too.

Source: GOV.UK, rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027.

Common questions

How much do apprentices get paid in the UK?: From 1 April 2026 apprentices must get at least £8.00 an hour if they are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. After year one, apprentices aged 19 to 20 get at least £10.85 and those 21 and over at least £12.71. Many employers pay well above these minimums, especially at Level 4 and above.
What is the apprentice minimum wage for 2026?: The apprentice minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is £8.00 an hour, the same as the rate for 16 and 17 year olds. It applies to apprentices under 19 and to anyone in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Do apprentices pay tax?: Yes, on the same basis as any employee. In 2026/27 you pay income tax only on earnings above £12,570 a year and National Insurance at 8% only on earnings above £242 a week. A first-year apprentice on the minimum rate for 37.5 hours earns about £15,600 a year, so pays a small amount of tax and National Insurance.
Are apprentices paid for college or training days?: Yes. Time spent on off-the-job training, including college days, is paid at your normal rate. At least 20% of your paid hours must be training, and your employer cannot deduct pay for it.
Do apprentices get holiday pay and sick pay?: Yes. Apprentices are employees, so you get at least 28 days of paid holiday a year including bank holidays, Statutory Sick Pay if you earn enough to qualify, and a written contract.
Which apprenticeships pay the most?: Degree apprenticeships at large finance, technology and engineering employers pay the most, typically £20,000 to £28,000 in year one and £35,000 to £50,000 on completion. Nuclear, rail, energy and aerospace programmes are also near the top.

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Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.