20 hrs/week
Under 18 minimum wage 20 hours
£160.00/wk
£8,320/year gross
Effective 1 April 2026 · Updated 2026-08-24£8.00/hour
Under 18 2026
Workers under 18 who are above school leaving age. 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
Under 18 minimum wage 30 hours
£240.00/wk
£12,480/year gross
40 hrs/week
Under 18 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
You must be at least school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage. Compulsory school age rules differ slightly by nation.
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 Under 18 minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other age bands.
Frequently asked questions
The statutory rate for workers under 18 who are above school leaving age 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. Under 18 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.
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.
Workers under 18 who are above school leaving age. You must be at least school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage. Compulsory school age rules differ slightly by nation.
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. Under 18 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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