All Minimum Wage Rates 2026/27
| Age | Rate | Annual (FT) | Take Home/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and Over | £12.71/hr | £24,784 | £1,780 |
| 18-20 | £10.85/hr | £21,158 | £1,563 |
| Under 18 | £8.00/hr | £15,600 | £1,229 |
| Apprentice | £8.00/hr | £15,600 | £1,229 |
Minimum Wage for 18-20 Year Olds
Workers aged 18-20 are entitled to the National Minimum Wage of £10.85 per hour from April 2026, up from £10.00. Full-time (37.5 hours/week), this produces an annual salary of £21,158. The good news is that at this income level, your tax burden is very low — with a personal allowance of £12,570, only £8,588 is taxable. Your monthly take home is approximately £1,563, and your effective rate of tax and NI is just 11.4%.
At age 21, you automatically move to the National Living Wage of £12.71/hr — a 17% pay rise with no negotiation needed. Many employers pay the higher NLW rate to 18-20 year olds voluntarily to attract and retain staff. If you are studying alongside work, your earnings may affect student finance — check the threshold before increasing hours. Part-time work at this rate is common; see our part-time pay guides for take home calculations at various hours per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is minimum wage for 18-20 in the UK 2026?
The National Minimum Wage for 18-20 is £10.85/hr from 1 April 2026, up from £10.00. Full-time (37.5hrs/week), that's £21,158/year gross or £1,563/month take home.
See your exact take home at any hourly rate
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