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Pay benchmarks for 18 to 24

What is a good salary at 18 to 24, and how do you get a pay rise?

Real benchmarks from the government and the ONS, what each route into work pays at the start, and the exact conversation to have when you want more.

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What is a good salary in the UK at 18 to 24, and how do you ask for a pay rise?

For an 18 to 24 year old in the UK, a good starting salary is anything comfortably above the legal minimum, which is about £21,150 a year full-time at 18 to 20 and £24,780 at 21 plus from April 2026; the all-ages full-time median was £39,039 in April 2025. To ask for a pay rise, wait until you have six months of evidence, ask for a meeting, name a figure, and give three specific reasons.

Last reviewed by the Shine careers team.

The four numbers to know

Legal minimum, full-time, 18 to 20

£21,158

£10.85 an hour from April 2026 on 37.5 hours.

Source: GOV.UK

Legal minimum, full-time, 21 plus

£24,785

£12.71 an hour from April 2026 on 37.5 hours.

Source: GOV.UK

UK median, full-time, all ages

£39,039

Median gross annual earnings, April 2025. Half of full-time workers earn less than this.

Source: ONS ASHE 2025

UK median, part-time, all ages

£280 a week

Median gross weekly earnings for part-time employees, April 2025.

Source: ONS ASHE 2025

Starting pay by route

Typical UK ranges advertised in 2024 to 2026. Regional differences are large; London and the South East sit at the top of each range.

Entry-level job with no experience

Retail, hospitality, warehousing, care and admin. Pay rises with responsibility more than with time.

Read more

Minimum wage to about £24,000

Level 2 or 3 apprenticeship

Lower in year one, then the qualification lifts you above the entry-level ceiling.

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Apprentice rate to about £20,000

Degree apprenticeship

Often the best-paid start available at 18, and no tuition fees.

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£20,000 to £28,000

Skilled trade, once qualified

Electricians, plumbers and gas engineers commonly pass the UK median in their mid-twenties.

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£25,000 to £35,000 within a few years

Graduate scheme after university

Higher start, but three years later and with student debt. Compare lifetime totals, not year one.

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£25,000 to £35,000 at 21 or 22

How to ask for a pay rise: five steps

  1. 1

    Wait for evidence, not a birthday

    Ask after six to twelve months, once you can point to things you now do that you did not at the start: a shift you run, a system you own, a target you hit.

  2. 2

    Find your number

    Check three live adverts for your role in your area and the minimum wage for your age. Ask for a specific figure or percentage, not 'a bit more'.

  3. 3

    Book a proper conversation

    Message your manager: 'Could we find 15 minutes this week to talk about my role and pay?' Never ask in passing or by text.

  4. 4

    Make the case in three points

    One: what you have taken on. Two: what it is worth to the business. Three: what similar roles pay. Then say the figure and stop talking.

  5. 5

    Agree what happens next

    If yes, ask when it starts and get it in writing. If no, ask exactly what would need to be true in three months, and put a date in the diary.

Common questions

What is a good salary in the UK at 18?
At 18 a good salary is anything clearly above the legal floor, which is about £21,158 a year full-time from April 2026. £22,000 to £26,000 is strong for an 18 year old without qualifications; degree apprenticeships and some trades start above that.
What is a good salary in the UK at 21 to 24?
The legal minimum at 21 is about £24,785 a year full-time from April 2026, and the all-ages full-time median was £39,039 in April 2025. Between those two figures is normal for early twenties; above £30,000 by 24 is good, and it is easier to reach through a qualified trade or degree apprenticeship than through unskilled roles.
What is a good starting salary in the UK?
For a first full-time role with no qualifications, a good starting salary is £23,000 to £26,000. For apprenticeships it depends on the level: £15,000 to £20,000 is typical at Level 3, and £20,000 to £28,000 at degree level. Graduate schemes usually start at £25,000 to £35,000.
How do I ask for a pay rise?
Book a short meeting rather than asking in passing, bring three specific things you now do that add value, name a figure based on live adverts for your role, and agree a follow-up date if the answer is not yet. Most first pay rises come from asking; few come automatically.
How much of a pay rise should I ask for?
For a first rise in the same role, 5% to 10% is normal; more if your duties have changed substantially or the market rate has moved. If you are on minimum wage you should also check whether a birthday has moved you into a higher legal band.
Is it rude to ask for a pay rise at 18?
No. Managers expect it and usually respect a calm, evidenced request. What makes a poor impression is asking without preparation, comparing yourself to named colleagues, or threatening to leave when you do not mean it.

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