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 Under 18s
Workers under 18 who are past school leaving age are entitled to £8.00 per hour from April 2026, up from £7.55. If working full-time (37.5 hours), this produces an annual salary of £15,600, which is £3,030 above the £12,570 personal allowance, so a small amount is taxable. Your monthly take home is approximately £1,229. Most under-18 workers are part-time; at 16 hours per week, you would earn approximately £6,656/year — well within the tax-free allowance, meaning no income tax at all.
Like any employee, under-18s pay no National Insurance until their earnings pass the Primary Threshold (£12,570 a year). Working hours for under-18s are legally restricted: no more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, with tighter limits in term time and the school holidays for children still below school leaving age. At age 18, you move to the 18-20 rate of £10.85/hr — a 36% increase. See our hourly rate calculator for take home at any hourly rate.
Minimum Wage History for Under 18s
The under-18 minimum wage has risen every April since 2024: by 18.0% to £7.55 in April 2025, and by a further 6.0% to £8.00 from 1 April 2026.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Annual (FT) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | £6.40/hr | £12,480 | — |
| 2025/26 | £7.55/hr | £14,722 | +18.0% |
| 2026/27 | £8.00/hr | £15,600 | +6.0% |
What Can You Earn at Under 18?
The minimum wage sets the floor at £8.00/hr. Employers can pay more, but we have not verified typical rates for particular jobs, so we do not list them. Here is what the legal minimum pays at common hours:
| Hours a Week | Weekly Pay | Annual (52 weeks) | Income Tax + NI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | £64 | £3,328 | £0 |
| 12 | £96 | £4,992 | £0 |
| 16 | £128 | £6,656 | £0 |
| 20 | £160 | £8,320 | £0 |
| 30 | £240 | £12,480 | £0 |
| 37.5 | £300 | £15,600 | £848 |
At £8/hr working 16 hours per week, you'd earn £6,656/year — well within the tax-free personal allowance. At the minimum rate, pay stays under the £12,570 allowance, with no income tax or National Insurance, up to 30 hours a week all year round.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is minimum wage for under 18 in 2026?
The UK minimum wage for under 18s is £8.00 per hour from 1 April 2026, up 6.0% from £7.55 in 2025/26. Working full-time at 37.5 hours per week, that equals £15,600 per year before tax.
How many hours can under 18s work?
Workers under 18 who are above school leaving age can work at most 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, and 16 and 17 year olds usually cannot work between 10pm and 6am (never between midnight and 4am), with exceptions in sectors such as retail and hotels and catering. Children still below school leaving age have tighter limits: at most 12 hours a week in term time, and 25 hours (age 14) or 35 hours (age 15 to 16) a week in the school holidays, never before 7am or after 7pm.
Can under 18s earn more than minimum wage?
Yes — £8.00/hr is the legal minimum, but employers are free to pay more, and there is no upper cap on what they can offer. We have not verified typical rates for particular jobs, so check the advertised rate against the minimum.
What is the minimum wage for under 18 in the UK 2026?
The National Minimum Wage for workers under 18 is £8.00/hr from April 2026. Full-time (37.5 hours/week), that's £15,600/year gross or approximately £1,229/month take home after tax and National Insurance.
Related Pages
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