20 hrs/week
Apprentice minimum wage 20 hours
£160.00/wk
£8,320/year gross
Effective 1 April 2026 · Updated 2026-08-24£8.00/hour
Apprentice 2026
Apprentices under 19, or aged 19+ in the first year of their apprenticeship. Statutory UK-wide rate with pay examples, NLW context, and official GOV.UK sources — for HR, payroll, and workers.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
£8.00Statutory rate
£16,640FT annual gross
-£4.71vs NLW
£7.55Prior (1 April 2025)
Pay at 20, 30 & 40 hours/week
Gross at £8.00/hour before tax and National Insurance. Use the hourly salary calculator and UK tax calculator for take-home estimates.
30 hrs/week
Apprentice minimum wage 30 hours
£240.00/wk
£12,480/year gross
40 hrs/week
Apprentice minimum wage 40 hours
£320.00/wk
£16,640/year gross
Annual calculation
£8.00 × 40 hrs × 52 wks = £16,640 gross/year
Actual take-home depends on tax code and National Insurance. Model net pay with the UK tax calculator.
Previous rates
£7.55/hr1 April 2025 – 1 April 2026
£6.40/hr1 April 2024 – 1 April 2025
Notes
Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed the first year of their apprenticeship move to the minimum wage for their age (up to the National Living Wage if they are 21+).
National Living Wage context
The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71/hour. This band is £4.71/hour below that floor.
Compare Apprentice minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other age bands.
Frequently asked questions
The statutory rate for apprentices under 19, or aged 19+ in the first year of their apprenticeship is £8.00 per hour in 2026, effective 1 April 2026. Full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks) equals about £16,640/year before tax and National Insurance.
The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71/hour. Apprentice is £8.00/hour — a gap of £4.71/hour.
At £8.00/hour working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, gross pay is £16,640/year before income tax and National Insurance. Actual take-home depends on tax code and deductions.
The current rate of £8.00/hour took effect on 1 April 2026. UK NMW and NLW rates usually update every 1 April.
Apprentices get the apprentice rate (£8.00/hour) if they are under 19, or 19+ in the first year of their apprenticeship. Once aged 19+ and past the first year, they are entitled to the minimum wage for their age — up to the National Living Wage (£12.71) if they are 21 or over.
At £8.00/hour for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours), gross annual pay is £16,640 before income tax and National Insurance.
Apprentices under 19, or aged 19+ in the first year of their apprenticeship. Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed the first year of their apprenticeship move to the minimum wage for their age (up to the National Living Wage if they are 21+).
At £8.00/hour: 20 hrs/week ≈ £160.00/week (£8,320/year); 30 hrs/week ≈ £240.00/week (£12,480/year); 40 hrs/week ≈ £320.00/week (£16,640/year). Gross before tax and National Insurance.
Higher statutory bands raise gross pay. Net pay still depends on tax code, National Insurance, and student loan deductions. Model the same hours in our UK tax calculator.
The National Living Wage is £12.71/hour. Apprentice is £8.00/hour — a gap of £4.71/hour.
Related tools
- All UK minimum wages
- Minimum Wage Comparisons (UK) — Age band vs age band — who has the higher floor and why.
- UK Tax Calculator — Estimate take-home from minimum wage after tax and NI.
- Hourly Salary Calculator — Convert £/hr to weekly, monthly, and annual pay.
- US Minimum Wage by State — Sibling tracker for US federal and state floors.
- Minimum Wage Canada — Provincial and territorial CAD floors.
- Highest Paying Jobs UK — ONS occupation medians ranked for the UK.
- Take-Home Pay by UK Nation — England, Scotland, Wales & NI take-home comparisons.
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