The minimum wage for 18 year olds is £10.85 an hour from 1 April 2026, up from £10.00. The same National Minimum Wage rate applies to workers aged 19 and 20. At 21 workers move to the National Living Wage of £12.71. An 18 year old apprentice is entitled to the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 24 OCTOBER 2026
- £10.85 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 from 1 April 2026, up from £10.00.
- Under 18: £8.00 an hour. 21 and over: £12.71 an hour (National Living Wage).
- An 18 year old apprentice gets the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour.
- At £10.85 an hour, a 37.5-hour week comes to £406.88 before tax and National Insurance.
Minimum wage by age from 1 April 2026
| Age | From 1 April 2026 | 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 |
| 16 and 17 | £8.00 | £7.55 |
| 18, 19 and 20 | £10.85 | £10.00 |
| 21 and over | £12.71 | £12.21 |
| Apprentice under 19 | £8.00 | £7.55 |
Source: GOV.UK National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
KEY FACTS
- Workers aged 18 to 20: £10.85 an hour from 1 April 2026, an increase of £0.85 (8.5%) on £10.00.
- Workers under 18: £8.00 an hour. Workers aged 21 and over: £12.71 an hour.
- Apprentices under 19 get the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour in any year of their apprenticeship.
- Part-time, casual and agency workers are entitled to the minimum wage.
- Tips, service charges and extra pay for unsocial hours do not count towards minimum wage pay.
Minimum wage for 18 year olds from April 2026
From 1 April 2026 the National Minimum Wage for workers aged 18 to 20 is £10.85 an hour. From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 the rate for workers aged 18 to 20 was £10.00 an hour, so the increase is £0.85.
The minimum wage rates change on 1 April every year. It does not matter how small an employer is: the correct minimum wage still has to be paid.
Rates for 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 year olds
Workers aged 16 and 17 are entitled to £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. Workers must be at least school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage.
Workers aged 19 and 20 get the same rate as 18 year olds, which is £10.85 an hour. At 21, workers are entitled to the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour.
18 year old apprentices
Apprentices under 19 receive the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. This rate applies in any year of the apprenticeship while the apprentice is under 19. Apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship also receive £8.00 an hour.
Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed the first year receive the rate for their age. At 19 and 20 this rate is £10.85 an hour. Training that is part of the apprenticeship, at least 20% of normal working hours, must be paid.
What £10.85 an hour means as weekly and yearly pay
At £10.85 an hour, a 37.5-hour week comes to £406.88 before tax and National Insurance. Over 52 weeks at 37.5 hours a week, £10.85 an hour comes to £21,157.50 before tax and National Insurance. At £10.85 an hour, a 20-hour week comes to £217.00 before tax and National Insurance.
These figures are illustrations of weekly and yearly pay at that hourly rate. The legal minimum is the hourly rate, applied to the hours actually worked.
Weekly and yearly pay (illustration)
| Hours a week | At £10.85 an hour | 52 weeks |
| 20 | £217.00 | £11,284.00 |
| 37.5 | £406.88 | £21,157.50 |
Source: Rates: GOV.UK
Who is covered and what counts towards pay
Part-time workers, casual labourers, agency workers, trainees and workers on probation are entitled to the minimum wage. Higher or further education students on work experience or a placement of up to one year are not entitled to it.
Tips, service charges, cover charges and extra pay for working unsocial hours on a shift do not count towards minimum wage pay. The cost of items needed for the job that are not refunded, such as tools, uniform and safety equipment, reduces pay for minimum wage purposes.
If pay is below the minimum wage
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. Such employers also 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
What is the minimum wage for an 18 year old?
From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for an 18 year old is £10.85 an hour, up from £10.00. The same rate applies at 19 and 20.
What is the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds?
From 1 April 2026 the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds is £8.00 an hour, up from £7.55.
When does a worker get the National Living Wage?
A worker gets the National Living Wage at 21. The National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026.
How much does an 18 year old apprentice get?
An 18 year old apprentice gets the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour, because apprentices under 19 get the apprentice rate in any year of the apprenticeship.
How much is £10.85 an hour a year?
£10.85 an hour is £21,157.50 a year over 52 weeks at 37.5 hours a week, before tax and National Insurance.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Who gets the minimum wage, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Employers and the minimum wage, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Become an apprentice, what you'll get, accessed 24 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Pay and work rights complaints, accessed 24 October 2026
