What is the minimum wage for 16 year olds in the UK?

From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for 16 year olds in the UK is £8.00 an hour. The same rate applies at 17. It is a legal minimum, so an employer cannot pay less, and many supermarkets, restaurant chains and retailers pay 16 year olds more than this.

What is the minimum wage for 18 year olds?

From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for 18 year olds is £10.85 an hour, and it stays at that rate until you turn 21. On a 37.5-hour week that is about £21,158 a year before tax.

What is the minimum wage for 21 year olds?

From 1 April 2026 anyone aged 21 or over must be paid at least £12.71 an hour, called the National Living Wage. On a 37.5-hour week that is about £24,785 a year before tax.

When does the minimum wage go up?

UK minimum wage rates change on 1 April each year. The government announces the new rates in the autumn Budget, usually in October or November, after advice from the Low Pay Commission. Your pay should move to the new rate for hours worked from 1 April.

Do I get the higher rate on my birthday?

Yes. The rate that applies is the one for your age on the day you work, so you move up to the 18 to 20 rate on your 18th birthday and to the 21+ rate on your 21st. Employers do not have to wait for a new pay period.

Is the minimum wage different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

No. The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage are the same across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The separate 'Real Living Wage' is a voluntary higher rate some employers choose to pay, with a higher figure in London.

Rates from 1 April 2026

Minimum wage at 16, 18 and 21: what you must be paid in 2026

The legal minimum changes with your age, not your job. Here is every UK rate, what it adds up to over a week and a year, and how to check your first payslip is right.

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What is the minimum wage for 16, 18 and 21 year olds in the UK?

From 1 April 2026 the UK minimum wage is £8.00 an hour for 16 and 17 year olds, £10.85 an hour for 18 to 20 year olds and £12.71 an hour for anyone aged 21 and over. Apprentices under 19, or in the first year of their apprenticeship, get at least £8.00. The rates rise every April and many employers pay above them.

Last reviewed 12 September 2026 by the Shine careers team.

UK minimum wage rates by age, April 2026

Age	Hourly rate	Who it covers
16 and 17	£8.00	Past school leaving age, under 18. Same rate applies at 16 and 17.
Apprentice	£8.00	Under 19, or 19+ in the first year of the apprenticeship. After year one, 19+ apprentices move to their age rate.
18 to 20	£10.85	Applies from your 18th birthday until you turn 21, whatever the job.
21 and over	£12.71	The National Living Wage. Everyone aged 21+ who is not on an apprentice rate.

Source: GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. Rates apply from 1 April 2026.

What that looks like per week and per year

Before tax. Most people under 21 on these hours pay no income tax at all, because you can earn £12,570 a year before it starts.

Age	8 hrs a week	16 hrs a week	37.5 hrs a week	Full-time a year
16 and 17	£64	£128	£300	£15,600
Apprentice	£64	£128	£300	£15,600
18 to 20	£87	£174	£407	£21,158
21 and over	£102	£203	£477	£24,785

Apprentice pay has its own rules once you are 19, explained in how much apprentices get paid. Tax, National Insurance and hour limits at 16 are in tax and hours at 16.

How to check your payslip in five steps

1Find your hourly rate on the payslip or contract and compare it with the table above for your age on the day you were paid.
2Count the hours you actually worked, including time you were required to be on site before opening or after closing.
3Check deductions: uniform, till shortages or training costs must not take you below the minimum wage.
4Look at the tax code. On a first job it is often 1257L W1, M1 or X, an emergency code that HMRC corrects later.
5If the rate is wrong, raise it with your manager first, then use the free Acas helpline or HMRC's minimum wage complaint form.

Common questions

What is the minimum wage for 16 year olds in the UK?: From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for 16 year olds in the UK is £8.00 an hour. The same rate applies at 17. It is a legal minimum, so an employer cannot pay less, and many supermarkets, restaurant chains and retailers pay 16 year olds more than this.
What is the minimum wage for 18 year olds?: From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for 18 year olds is £10.85 an hour, and it stays at that rate until you turn 21. On a 37.5-hour week that is about £21,158 a year before tax.
What is the minimum wage for 21 year olds?: From 1 April 2026 anyone aged 21 or over must be paid at least £12.71 an hour, called the National Living Wage. On a 37.5-hour week that is about £24,785 a year before tax.
When does the minimum wage go up?: UK minimum wage rates change on 1 April each year. The government announces the new rates in the autumn Budget, usually in October or November, after advice from the Low Pay Commission. Your pay should move to the new rate for hours worked from 1 April.
Do I get the higher rate on my birthday?: Yes. The rate that applies is the one for your age on the day you work, so you move up to the 18 to 20 rate on your 18th birthday and to the 21+ rate on your 21st. Employers do not have to wait for a new pay period.
Is the minimum wage different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?: No. The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage are the same across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The separate 'Real Living Wage' is a voluntary higher rate some employers choose to pay, with a higher figure in London.

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