Independent guide. Rates from GOV.UK. Not affiliated with HMRC or the Low Pay Commission.

How Much Is Minimum Wage in the UK?

Updated 30 March 2026

The UK National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour from April 2025. That is £23,800 per year for a full-time worker (37.5 hours/week). Younger workers and apprentices have lower rates. The voluntary Living Wage Foundation rate is higher at £12.60 (UK) and £13.85 (London).

£12.21

21 and over

National Living Wage

£10.00

18-20

National Minimum Wage

£7.55

16-17

National Minimum Wage

£7.55

Apprentice

Under 19 or first year

Quick Answer

If you are 21 or over, minimum wage is £12.21 per hour (£23,800/year full-time). That is the government's National Living Wage. The independent Living Wage Foundation recommends £12.60 (UK) or £13.85 (London) as the actual amount needed to cover living costs.

2025/26 Minimum Wage Rates

Rates effective from 1 April 2025. Full-time figures based on 37.5 hours per week.

Age BandHourly RateWeekly (FT)Annual (FT)April 2025 Increase
21 and over (National Living Wage)£12.21£457.88£23,800.80+6.7% from £11.44
18-20 year olds£10.00£375.00£19,500.00+14.8% from £8.60
16-17 year olds£7.55£283.13£14,722.50+18.0% from £6.40
Apprentice rate£7.55£283.13£14,722.50+18.0% from £6.40

Minimum Wage Calculator

Enter your age band and weekly hours to see your pay at minimum wage, plus a comparison to the Living Wage Foundation rate.

UK average full-time: 37.5 hours

Government Minimum

£12.21/hr

£457.88 /week

£1984.13 /month

£23809.50 /year

Living Wage (UK)

£12.60/hr

£472.50 /week

£2047.50 /month

£24570.00 /year

+£760.50/year vs minimum

London Living Wage

£13.85/hr

£519.38 /week

£2250.63 /month

£27007.50 /year

+£3198.00/year vs minimum

At 37.5 hours per week on the 21 and over (national living wage) rate (£12.21/hr), you would earn £23809.50 per year before tax. The Real Living Wage (UK) would pay £760.50 more per year.

Government rates are from April 2025 (current). Living Wage Foundation rates are from October 2024 (updated annually). Calculations assume 52 working weeks per year. Actual take-home pay will be lower after income tax and National Insurance deductions.

Minimum Wage History

1999
£3.60/hrNational Minimum Wage introduced by the Labour government
2009
£5.80/hrCrossed £5 for the first time
2016
£7.20/hrNational Living Wage introduced (for 25+)
2020
£8.72/hrCOVID-19 pandemic increase went ahead as planned
2021
£8.91/hrAge threshold lowered to 23+
2024
£11.44/hrAge threshold lowered to 21+
2025
£12.21/hrCurrent rate, 6.7% increase, largest cash increase

View complete history from 1999 to 2026 →

Government Rate vs Living Wage

Government: £12.21/hr

  • Legal minimum, enforceable by HMRC
  • Set by the Low Pay Commission (independent body)
  • Target: 66% of median earnings by 2024 (achieved)
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size
  • Only for workers aged 21 and over
  • Lower rates for younger workers and apprentices

Living Wage Foundation: £12.60/hr

  • Voluntary rate, not legally required
  • Calculated based on actual cost of living
  • Higher London rate: £13.85/hr
  • Over 14,000 accredited employers UK-wide
  • Includes IKEA, Aviva, Nationwide, KPMG
  • Applied equally regardless of worker's age

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
The National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) is £12.21 per hour from April 2025. The 18-20 rate is £10.00 per hour. The 16-17 rate is £7.55 per hour. The apprentice rate is £7.55 per hour. These rates apply from 1 April 2025 and are the current rates in 2026.
What is the difference between minimum wage and the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the government's name for the minimum wage rate for workers aged 21 and over. It was introduced in April 2016 at a higher rate than the existing National Minimum Wage. The term 'National Minimum Wage' now refers to the lower rates for younger workers and apprentices. Both are legally enforceable.
What is the Living Wage Foundation rate?
The Living Wage Foundation (a charity) calculates an independently determined living wage based on the actual cost of living. Their current UK rate is £12.60 per hour, and the London rate is £13.85 per hour. These are voluntary rates that employers can choose to pay. Over 14,000 UK employers are accredited Living Wage employers. The government's National Living Wage is a separate, lower rate.
Do I get minimum wage if I am on an apprenticeship?
Apprentices under 19, or aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship, are entitled to at least £7.55 per hour (the apprentice rate). After completing the first year, apprentices aged 19 and over must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for their age band.
When does the minimum wage go up?
The UK minimum wage rates are reviewed annually by the Low Pay Commission and typically increase on 1 April each year. The government announces the new rates in the Autumn Budget (usually October/November) for the following April. The April 2025 increase raised the National Living Wage from £11.44 to £12.21, a 6.7% increase.
Can my employer pay me less than minimum wage?
No. It is illegal for an employer to pay below the minimum wage. If you are being paid less, you can report it anonymously to HMRC (the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100). HMRC can investigate and order your employer to pay arrears plus a penalty. Named employers who underpay minimum wage are publicly listed by the government.
Does minimum wage apply to zero-hours contracts?
Yes. Workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the minimum wage for every hour they work, regardless of the type of contract. The rate depends on the worker's age, not the type of contract. If you are not receiving minimum wage on a zero-hours contract, you can report it to HMRC.
How much is minimum wage per year for a full-time worker?
At the National Living Wage rate of £12.21 per hour, a full-time worker doing 37.5 hours per week earns £457.88 per week, £1,983.40 per month, or £23,800.80 per year before tax. At the 18-20 rate of £10.00 per hour, the same hours produce £375 per week or £19,500 per year.

Related Resources

HowMuchIsMinimumWage.comFull minimum wage guide with calculatorHolidayEntitlementCalculator.comCalculate your statutory holiday allowanceLiving Wage ComparisonGovernment rate vs Living Wage Foundation in detail