20 hrs/week
Under 18
€198.20/wk · €10,306.40/yr
Age 18
€226.40/wk · €11,772.80/yr
All Ireland minimum wage comparisons
Age 18 +€1.41/hr · 2026
Under 18vsAge 18Minimum Wage 2026
In 2026, Age 18 wins on the statutory floor: €11.32/hour vs €9.91/hour for Under 18 — a gap of €1.41/hour. At full-time (40 hrs/week), that is roughly €2,932.80 more gross income per year before tax, USC, and PRSI. Use our hourly and Ireland tax calculators for take-home.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
€9.91Under 18
€11.32Age 18
€1.41Hourly gap
€2,932.80FT annual gap
Age 18 has the higher statutory minimum wage
€11.32/hr vs €9.91/hr — a €1.41/hr gap (€2,932.80/yr FT gross).
Age 18 wins · 2026
Under 18
€9.91/hr
€20,612.80/yr FT · effective 1 January 2026
Age 18
Winner€11.32/hr
€23,545.60/yr FT · effective 1 January 2026
Gap: €1.41/hr · €2,932.80/yr FT (€244.40/mo)
Why Age 18 wins
- Age 18's rate is €1.41/hr higher (€11.32 vs €9.91).
- At 40 hours/week, that is about €2,932.80 more gross pay per year (€244.40/month).
- Eligibility: Employees aged 18 vs Employees under 18.
- Statutory NMW age bands are Republic of Ireland–wide; SEOs/EROs may set higher sector floors.
Side-by-side metrics
| Metric | Under 18 | Age 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory minimum | €9.91/hr | €11.32/hr |
| FT annual gross (40×52) | €20,612.80 | €23,545.60 |
| Adult NMW band | No | No |
| Eligibility | Employees under 18 | Employees aged 18 |
Pay by hours/week
Gross pay at each band's statutory minimum (before tax, USC, and PRSI).
| Hours | Under 18 / wk | Age 18 / wk | Under 18 / yr | Age 18 / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs | €198.20 | €226.40 | €10,306.40 | €11,772.80 |
| 30 hrs | €297.30 | €339.60 | €15,459.60 | €17,659.20 |
| 40 hrs | €396.40 | €452.80 | €20,612.80 | €23,545.60 |
30 hrs/week
Under 18
€297.30/wk · €15,459.60/yr
Age 18
€339.60/wk · €17,659.20/yr
40 hrs/week
Under 18
€396.40/wk · €20,612.80/yr
Age 18
€452.80/wk · €23,545.60/yr
Pros & caveats
Under 18
Pros
- 70% of the adult National Minimum Wage
- Employees under 18
Cons / caveats
- Lower floor than Age 18 (€9.91 vs €11.32)
- Under-18 rate is set at 70% of the adult National Minimum Wage.
Age 18
Pros
- Higher statutory floor (€11.32 vs €9.91)
- 80% of the adult National Minimum Wage
- Employees aged 18
Cons / caveats
- Age 18 rate is set at 80% of the adult National Minimum Wage.
Planning guide
How to read the Under 18 vs Age 18 minimum wage comparison
Age 18 has the higher statutory minimum in 2026. Check eligibility and take-home tools before deciding which band applies.
Statutory floor
Under 18 €9.91/hr vs Age 18 €11.32/hr
FT annual gap
€2,932.80/yr before tax
Republic-wide
Statutory NMW age bands apply across the Republic of Ireland
Adult NMW context
Adult NMW (20+) is €14.15/hr
Before you use this Under 18 vs Age 18 wage gap
Confirm eligibility
Age determines which statutory NMW band applies; craft apprentices are generally excluded.
Republic-wide rates
Statutory age-band floors apply across the Republic of Ireland.
Check effective dates
Rates are for 2026. Ireland’s NMW usually updates on 1 January.
Model take-home next
Convert hours with the hourly calculator, then the Ireland tax calculator for PAYE, USC, and PRSI.
Adult NMW vs Sectoral Employment Orders
The adult National Minimum Wage (€14.15/hour for ages 20+) is the statutory age-band floor. Sectoral Employment Orders and Employment Regulation Orders may set higher minimum rates in specific sectors. This duel ranks statutory NMW age bands only — not sector-specific floors.
Overview
In 2026, Age 18 wins on the statutory floor: €11.32/hour vs €9.91/hour for Under 18 — a gap of €1.41/hour. At full-time (40 hrs/week), that is roughly €2,932.80 more gross income per year before tax, USC, and PRSI. Use our hourly and Ireland tax calculators for take-home.
FAQ
Age 18 is higher at €11.32/hour versus €9.91 for Under 18 (€1.41/hr gap).
About €2,932.80 more gross per year at 40 hrs/week (€244.40/month), before tax, USC, and PRSI.
Under 18: Employees under 18. Age 18: Employees aged 18.
Craft apprentices are generally excluded from the National Minimum Wage — we do not publish an apprentice wage band. Confirm status on Workplace Relations Commission and Citizens Information guidance.
Yes. Rates reflect our 2026 Ireland National Minimum Wage tracker (last reviewed against WRC / gov.ie publications). Rates usually change on 1 January — verify before payroll changes.
Convert hours with our hourly salary calculator, then run the result through the Ireland tax calculator for PAYE, USC, and PRSI. Minimum wage figures here are gross floors, not net pay.
Yes. SEOs and EROs may set higher minimum rates in specific sectors. This tracker covers the statutory National Minimum Wage age bands only — not sector-specific floors.
The ladder shows weekly and annual gross at common hour counts using each band's statutory rate. It helps translate the hourly gap into cash flow before tax — overtime and tips are not included.
Use related links below, the reverse matchup (Age 18 vs Under 18), or the Ireland minimum wage compare hub picker for any two age bands.
Compare take-home too
Wage floors are only half the story. See Ireland take-home vs countries and the Ireland tax calculator for income tax, USC, and PRSI at the same salary.
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