Apprenticeship minimum wage vs living wage calculator (2026)
Pick your band and hours to see what an apprenticeship pays each week, month and year, and when the law says your pay must go up.
The short answer
The apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from April 2026. At 37.5 hours a week that is about £300 a week. If you're 19+ and past your first year, you must get the full rate for your age, up to £12.71 at 21+.
Work out your pay
Pick your age band and how many hours you work. Everything updates instantly.
Paid £8.00 an hour, the legal minimum for Apprentice from 1 April 2026.
- A week
- £128.00
- A month
- £555
- A year
- £6,656
At these hours you'd stay under the £12,570 tax-free allowance, so you'd pay no income tax.
You'd stay under the £242 a week National Insurance threshold, so nothing comes out for NI either.
Estimates only, before pension or student loan. Rates: GOV.UK National Minimum Wage (from 1 April 2026) and HMRC 2026/27 thresholds.
Apprentice rate compared
| Band | Per hour | 37.5 hrs a week |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (under 19, or first year) | £8.00 | £300 |
| Age 18–20 (after first year, 19+) | £10.85 | £407 |
| Age 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £477 |
Weekly figures are before tax and National Insurance.
Overtime and extra hours
There is no legal right to a higher overtime rate, but your average pay across all hours worked must never fall below the minimum for your band. Check your contract for any overtime rate your employer offers.
Read more in how much apprentices are paid, or find apprenticeships near you.
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FAQs
- What is the apprenticeship minimum wage in 2026?
- From 1 April 2026 it is £8.00 an hour. It applies to apprentices aged under 19, and to apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship.
- When do apprentices get the full minimum wage?
- If you are 19 or over and have finished the first year of your apprenticeship, you must get the full rate for your age: £10.85 at 18–20 and £12.71 at 21 and over.
- Is training time paid?
- Yes. Apprentices must be paid for their normal working hours and for the off-the-job training that is part of the apprenticeship.
- Can you live on an apprenticeship wage?
- It depends on your hours, where you live and whether you live at home. Many employers pay above the minimum, so compare adverts. Use the calculator above to see your weekly and monthly figure.
Sources: GOV.UK minimum wage rates, GOV.UK become an apprentice. Last reviewed 20 October 2026 by the Shine careers team.
More help: teen jobs, minimum wage by age, first CV template.