When entitlement starts
You must be above compulsory school-leaving age. The date depends on where you live in the UK, so turning 16 does not always make you eligible immediately.
Check your nation’s school-leaving ageUK minimum wage for 16–17 year olds
The minimum wage for a 16 year old is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, provided they are above compulsory school-leaving age. The same statutory rate applies to eligible 17-year-olds.
Minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds
The under-18 rate covers both ages once the worker is above compulsory school-leaving age.
| Age or status | Hourly minimum | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Age 16 | £8.00 | Above compulsory school-leaving age |
| Age 17 | £8.00 | Above compulsory school-leaving age |
| Qualifying apprentice | £8.00 | Apprentices under 19 |
From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK minimum wage rates
Your minimum rate
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Confirm whether you have reached compulsory school-leaving age.
Rates from 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
If you may be underpaid
Check your payslip and paid hours, then raise any difference with your employer. Free official help is available.
Pay examples for 16 and 17 year olds
These gross figures use the 16–17 minimum wage and assume the same paid hours each week for 52 weeks.
| Paid hours a week | Hourly rate | Weekly pay | Monthly equivalent | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 hours | £8.00 | £80 | £346.67 | £4,160 |
| 16 hours | £8.00 | £128 | £554.67 | £6,656 |
| 20 hours | £8.00 | £160 | £693.33 | £8,320 |
| 30 hours | £8.00 | £240 | £1,040 | £12,480 |
| 37.5 hours | £8.00 | £300 | £1,300 | £15,600 |
From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK minimum wage rates
When does your minimum wage change?
When you turn 18
You move to the 18–20 rate of £10.85 an hour. It applies from the first pay reference period beginning on or after your birthday.
Read how rate changes workIf you are an apprentice
Apprentices under 19 qualify for the apprentice rate. The rule depends on age and apprenticeship year, even when the displayed hourly figure happens to be the same.
Check the apprentice minimum wageYoung-worker protections
Young workers above school-leaving age and under 18 usually have stronger working-time protections. Limited exceptions can apply, so check the official guidance for your situation.
- 8 hours
- maximum in one day
- 40 hours
- maximum in one week
- 30 minutes
- rest when working more than 4.5 hours
- 12 hours
- daily rest between working days
Sources: GOV.UK working-hour limits · GOV.UK young-worker rest breaks
Find part-time and entry-level jobs
Compare advertised pay, weekly hours and location before applying.
Questions about minimum wage at 16
What’s the minimum wage for a 16 year old?
The minimum wage for an eligible 16-year-old is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. You must be above compulsory school-leaving age to qualify.
Is there a minimum wage for 15 year olds?
No statutory National Minimum Wage rate applies below compulsory school-leaving age. Child-employment rules and local bylaws can still restrict the work and hours available.
Do 16 and 17 year olds get the same rate?
Yes. Eligible workers aged 16 and 17 share the under-18 minimum wage rate of £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026.
Does my pay change on my 18th birthday?
Yes. The 18–20 minimum wage is £10.85 an hour from 1 April 2026. The higher rate applies from the first pay reference period beginning on or after your 18th birthday, unless the apprentice rate still applies.
Sources and last updated
Last updated . Statutory rates apply from 1 April 2026.
- GOV.UK: current minimum wage rates
- GOV.UK: who gets the minimum wage
- GOV.UK: school-leaving age in each UK nation
- GOV.UK: maximum weekly working hours
- GOV.UK: rest breaks for young workers
- Jobmundo: UK minimum wage guide
- Jobmundo: salary calculator
Weekly pay = hourly rate × paid weekly hours. Annual equivalent = weekly pay × 52. Monthly equivalent = annual pay ÷ 12.
The calculator’s take-home preview uses standard England, Wales and Northern Ireland tax assumptions. Adjust the region and other settings in the full salary calculator. This is general information, not legal advice.