After your first year
If you are 19 or over when you complete the first year, you move to the minimum wage rate for your age.
UK apprentice minimum wage 2026
The apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. You qualify if you are under 19, or if you are 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship.
Who gets the apprentice minimum wage?
Your employer must pay at least the rate that matches your age and the year of your apprenticeship.
| Your situation | Minimum hourly rate | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Under 19 | £8.00 | Apprentice rate in any apprenticeship year |
| 19 or over, first year | £8.00 | Apprentice rate during the first year |
| 19 or over, completed first year | Rate for your age | £10.85 at 19–20; £12.71 at 21+ |
From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK apprentice pay and conditions
Which apprentice rate applies to you?
Enter your age and apprenticeship year to check your statutory hourly minimum.
Your minimum rate
£8.00 an hour
You get at least the apprentice rate because you are under 19.
From 1 April 2026 · GOV.UK source
Estimated take-home at 37.5 hours a week~ £1,229/monthStandard England, Wales and Northern Ireland tax assumptions; no pension or student loan.Calculate your take-home pay
When does apprentice pay go up?
When you turn 21
If the age-based rules apply to you, turning 21 moves you to the 21-and-over National Living Wage rate.
If you turn 19 while still in your first apprenticeship year, the apprentice rate can continue until that year is complete. Compare every age band in the UK minimum wage guide.
Training time must be paid
You must be paid for training or study that is part of your apprenticeship. This includes training at work, online, or at a college or training provider.
If English or maths study is required as part of your apprenticeship, the study time during your normal working hours must also be paid.
Read the official apprentice pay rulesApprentice minimum wage per week, month and year
These gross pay examples use the apprentice rate of £8.00 an hour. Monthly pay is weekly pay × 52 ÷ 12; annual pay is weekly pay × 52.
| Paid hours a week | Hourly rate | Weekly pay | Monthly equivalent | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 40 hours | £8.00 | £320 | £1,386.67 | £16,640 |
From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK minimum wage rates
See what you could take home
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Questions about apprentice minimum wage
What is the apprentice minimum wage?
From 1 April 2026, the apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour. It applies to apprentices under 19 and apprentices aged 19 or over who are in their first year.
Do apprentices get paid for college or training days?
Yes. You must be paid for training that is part of your apprenticeship, including training at a college or training provider. Required English and maths study during normal working hours is also paid.
When do apprentices get the full minimum wage for their age?
If you are 19 or over, you become entitled to the minimum wage rate for your age once you have completed the first year of your apprenticeship. Your age-based rate can rise again when you turn 21.
Is the apprentice rate the same as the 16–17 rate?
The two rates are both £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, but they apply under different rules. The apprentice rate depends on age and apprenticeship year; the 16–17 rate applies to eligible workers in that age band who are not covered by the apprentice rate.
If your pay looks wrong
Start by checking your payslip and contract, then raise the difference with your employer. Free official help is available if it is not resolved.
Sources and last updated
Last updated . Rates apply from 1 April 2026.
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
- GOV.UK: apprentice pay, paid training and conditions
- Jobmundo: UK minimum wage rates by age
- Jobmundo: salary calculator
Pay examples assume the stated paid hours every week for 52 weeks. They show gross pay before tax, National Insurance, pension or student-loan deductions.
This is general information, not legal advice. Individual entitlement can depend on working time, deductions, school-leaving age and whether the apprenticeship is officially recognised.