20 hrs/week
National Living Wage (21+) minimum wage 20 hours
£254.20/wk
£13,218/year gross
Effective 1 April 2026 · Updated 2026-08-24£12.71/hour
National Living Wage (21+) 2026
Workers aged 21 and over. 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
£12.71Statutory rate
£26,437FT annual gross
NLW bandHighest statutory
£12.21Prior (1 April 2025)
Pay at 20, 30 & 40 hours/week
Gross at £12.71/hour before tax and National Insurance. Use the hourly salary calculator and UK tax calculator for take-home estimates.
30 hrs/week
National Living Wage (21+) minimum wage 30 hours
£381.30/wk
£19,828/year gross
40 hrs/week
National Living Wage (21+) minimum wage 40 hours
£508.40/wk
£26,437/year gross
Annual calculation
£12.71 × 40 hrs × 52 wks = £26,437 gross/year
Actual take-home depends on tax code and National Insurance. Model net pay with the UK tax calculator.
Previous rates
£12.21/hr1 April 2025 – 1 April 2026
£11.44/hr1 April 2024 – 1 April 2025
Notes
The National Living Wage is the highest statutory band. It is set by government and is not the same as the voluntary Living Wage Foundation rates.
Compare National Living Wage (21+) minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other age bands.
Frequently asked questions
The statutory rate for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour in 2026, effective 1 April 2026. Full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks) equals about £26,437/year before tax and National Insurance.
This band is the National Living Wage — the highest statutory floor at £12.71/hour for workers aged 21 and over.
At £12.71/hour working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, gross pay is £26,437/year before income tax and National Insurance. Actual take-home depends on tax code and deductions.
The current rate of £12.71/hour took effect on 1 April 2026. UK NMW and NLW rates usually update every 1 April.
At £12.71/hour for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours), gross annual pay is £26,437 before income tax and National Insurance.
Workers aged 21 and over. The National Living Wage is the highest statutory band. It is set by government and is not the same as the voluntary Living Wage Foundation rates.
At £12.71/hour: 20 hrs/week ≈ £254.20/week (£13,218/year); 30 hrs/week ≈ £381.30/week (£19,828/year); 40 hrs/week ≈ £508.40/week (£26,437/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.
This band is the National Living Wage — £12.71/hour for workers aged 21 and over.
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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