The apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. It applies to apprentices under 19 and to apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, apprentices aged 19 or over get the rate for their age: £10.85 at 19 to 20 and £12.71 at 21 and over.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 24 OCTOBER 2026
- Apprentice rate: £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, up from £7.55.
- Applies to apprentices under 19, and to those aged 19 or over in their first year.
- After the first year, apprentices aged 19 or over get the rate for their age.
- Training that is part of the apprenticeship, at least 20% of normal working hours, must be paid.
Apprentice pay from 1 April 2026
| Apprentice | Rate from 1 April 2026 | Rate type |
| Under 19 (any year of the apprenticeship) | £8.00 | Apprentice rate |
| 19 or over, first year | £8.00 | Apprentice rate |
| 19 or 20, first year completed | £10.85 | National Minimum Wage (18 to 20) |
| 21 or over, first year completed | £12.71 | National Living Wage |
Source: GOV.UK National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
KEY FACTS
- Apprentice rate: £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026 (£7.55 from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026).
- Apprentices are employees earning a wage and getting holiday pay.
- Time spent on training that is part of the apprenticeship, at least 20% of normal working hours, must be paid.
- Apprentices get at least 20 days' paid holiday a year, plus bank holidays.
- Apprentices under 25 who have been in local authority care may be eligible for a bursary payment.
Apprentice minimum wage from 1 April 2026
The apprentice rate of the National Minimum Wage is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 the apprentice rate was £7.55 an hour, so the increase is £0.45.
Apprentices under 19 get the apprentice rate. Apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship also get the apprentice rate.
The minimum wage rates change on 1 April every year.
When an apprentice moves to the rate for their age
Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed the first year of their apprenticeship get the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age. From 1 April 2026 the rate for workers aged 18 to 20 is £10.85 an hour, and the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour.
An apprentice aged 20 in the second year of an apprenticeship is entitled to £10.85 an hour. An apprentice aged 22 in the second year of an apprenticeship is entitled to £12.71 an hour.
An apprentice aged 18 stays on the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour in any year of the apprenticeship, because apprentices under 19 get the apprentice rate.
Paid training time and working hours
Apprentices are employees who earn a wage and receive holiday pay. They must be paid for time spent on training that is part of their apprenticeship. That training is at least 20% of the apprentice's normal working hours.
Under GOV.UK guidance, an apprentice's normal working hours go in their employment contract.
Holiday and other support for apprentices
Apprentices receive at least 20 days of paid holiday each year, in addition to bank holidays.
Apprentices under 25 who have been in local authority care may be eligible for a bursary payment. The training provider can advise on this support. Apprentices with a disability or health condition may qualify for benefits and financial support for work-related costs.
Who can start an apprenticeship in England
To start an apprenticeship in England, a person must be 16 or over, living in England, and not in full-time education. A person must be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start.
Apprenticeships take from 8 months to 6 years to complete, depending on the type and level of the apprenticeship.
Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage, as are trainees and workers on probation.
Apprentice pay as weekly and yearly figures
At £8.00 an hour, a 37.5-hour week comes to £300.00 before tax and National Insurance. Over 52 weeks at 37.5 hours a week, £8.00 an hour comes to £15,600.00 before tax and National Insurance.
After the first year, an apprentice aged 19 or 20 on £10.85 an hour working 37.5 hours a week earns £406.88 a week, or £21,157.50 over 52 weeks.
These are illustrations; the legal minimum is the hourly rate, applied to all hours worked including paid training time.
Weekly and yearly pay (illustration)
| Apprentice | Hourly rate | 37.5-hour week | 52 weeks |
| Apprentice rate | £8.00 | £300.00 | £15,600.00 |
| 19 or 20, first year completed | £10.85 | £406.88 | £21,157.50 |
| 21 or over, first year completed | £12.71 | £476.63 | £24,784.50 |
Source: Rates: GOV.UK
If an apprentice is paid less than the minimum
Complaints about the National Minimum Wage are handled by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), using the complaint form on GOV.UK. Acas gives free, confidential advice on 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Employers who find they have paid below the correct minimum wage must pay the arrears immediately, and face a fine and may be named by the government.
RELATED GUIDES
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the apprentice minimum wage?
The apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, up from £7.55. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and to apprentices aged 19 or over in their first year.
Do apprentices get paid for training time?
Yes. Training that is part of the apprenticeship, which must be at least 20% of normal working hours, must be paid.
When does an apprentice get a higher rate?
Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed the first year get the rate for their age. This is £10.85 an hour at 19 to 20 and £12.71 at 21 and over.
How much holiday does an apprentice get?
An apprentice gets at least 20 days' paid holiday a year, plus bank holidays.
How much does an apprentice earn a year at the minimum wage?
At £8.00 an hour for 37.5 hours a week, an apprentice earns £15,600.00 over 52 weeks before tax and National Insurance.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Become an apprentice, what you'll get, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Become an apprentice, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Pay and work rights complaints, accessed 24 October 2026
