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Minimum wage in Scotland

From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK

Scotland has the same legal minimum wage as the rest of the UK. From 1 April 2026, workers aged 21 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour, unless the apprentice rate applies.

Younger workers have different age rates. The voluntary real Living Wage is a separate employer commitment, explained below.

Last updated

Minimum wage in Scotland: rates by age

Age / worker typeHourly minimumChange from 2025Effective date
21 and over (National Living Wage)£12.71+£0.50 / +4.1%1 April 2026
18–20£10.85+£0.85 / +8.5%1 April 2026
Under 18£8.00+£0.45 / +6.0%1 April 2026
Apprentice£8.00+£0.45 / +6.0%1 April 2026

The under-18 rate applies only after school-leaving age. Apprentices qualify for the apprentice rate if they are under 19, or aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. Otherwise they receive the rate for their age. Check the GOV.UK rules.

Calculate your minimum wage in Scotland

Calculator uses statutory rates from 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK

What should I be paid?

Enter a few details to see the legal minimum that applies to you.

Are you an apprentice?

Your minimum rate

£12.71/hour

For workers aged 21 and over

Weekly minimum pay
£476.63
Monthly equivalent
£2,065.38
Annual equivalent
£24,784.50

These are gross figures before income tax and National Insurance.

What would you actually take home?

£12.71/hour at 37.5 hours a week is about £24,785 gross per year. See what that means after tax and National Insurance.

See your pay after tax
Estimated take-home~ £1,784/month

Minimum wage per month and annual salary

The law sets an hourly minimum rather than one fixed monthly or annual amount because your earnings depend on how many hours you work.

Age / worker typeHourly rateWeekly pay (37.5h)Monthly equivalentAnnual equivalent
21 and over£12.71£476.63£2,065.38£24,784.50
18–20£10.85£406.88£1,763.13£21,157.50
Under 18£8.00£300£1,300£15,600
Apprentice£8.00£300£1,300£15,600

From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK

Examples assume the selected weekly hours for 52 paid weeks: hourly rate × hours × 52 gives the annual salary, then annual salary ÷ 12 gives the monthly equivalent. These are gross amounts. Use the salary calculator for take-home pay and select the tax region that applies to you.

Minimum wage vs the real Living Wage in Scotland

“Living wage” appears in two names, which makes job adverts easy to misread. The National Living Wage is the legal age-based minimum. The real Living Wage is set by the Living Wage Foundation using living costs and is voluntary.

The UK real Living Wage used in Scotland is £13.45 an hour, announced on 22 October 2025. Source: Living Wage Foundation.

Living Wage Scotland supports employers seeking Living Wage accreditation. Its employer directory lets you check which organisations have signed up. Accreditation is useful when comparing offers, but an advert saying “living wage” on its own does not tell you which rate it means.

Minimum wage vs Scottish pay

This comparison puts the legal minimum alongside full-time employee pay across Scotland.

Employee pay in Scotland

Full-time gross annual pay

2025

Median employee pay was £39,719. At 37.5 hours a week, the current 21-and-over minimum is £24,785 a year.

Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025, workplace-based, full-time employee jobs. Minimum-wage equivalent assumes 37.5 paid hours for 52 weeks.

See Scotland’s hiring trends, in-demand occupations, skills and local comparisons.

Explore Scotland’s job market

Questions about minimum wage in Scotland

Is the minimum wage different in Scotland?
No. Scotland follows the same statutory rates as England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour.

From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK

What is the living wage in Scotland?
The name can mean two different things: the statutory National Living Wage for eligible workers aged 21 and over, or the voluntary real Living Wage. Scotland uses the UK real Living Wage of £13.45 per hour, announced on 22 October 2025 by the Living Wage Foundation.
What is the minimum wage for 16 and 18 year olds in Scotland?
The hourly rate is £8.00 for 16 and 17 year olds who have reached school-leaving age, and £10.85 for ages 18 to 20. Qualifying apprentices get £8.00. Workers below school-leaving age are not entitled to the minimum wage; check Scotland’s school-leaving rules on GOV.UK.

From 1 April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK

Do employers in Scotland have to pay the real Living Wage?
It is a voluntary commitment, rather than the statutory minimum that every eligible worker must receive. Look for Living Wage accreditation when comparing employers, and check the pay promised in your contract. Living Wage Scotland explains accreditation.
Where can I get help if I’m underpaid in Scotland?
Keep payslips and records of your hours, then ask your employer to explain any shortfall. Contact Acas for confidential advice. You can also report minimum-wage underpayment to HMRC through GOV.UK.

Sources and last updated

Last updated . Statutory rates apply from 1 April 2026; voluntary rates were announced on 22 October 2025.

The take-home preview assumes Scottish Income Tax, code S1257L, standard employee National Insurance, 12 equal monthly payments and no pension or student-loan deductions. Scottish Income Tax depends on where you live; adjust your settings in the full calculator.

This is general information, not legal advice. These examples cover standard statutory rates, rather than sector-specific entitlements or a payroll compliance check. See the UK minimum wage guide for working time, deductions and eligibility.