Income & Employment Guides UK — Maximise Your Earnings

Minimum Wage UK 2026 — Current Rates

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage rates for 2026. Hourly rates by age, monthly and annual earnings, and what to do if you're being underpaid.

By PocketWise · · 3 min read

Salary and income data is based on ONS and other official UK statistical sources. Figures are averages and may not reflect your individual circumstances.

Here are the current minimum wage rates and what they mean for your earnings.

Current Rates (2025-26)

Hourly Rates

Age Group Hourly Rate
21 and over (National Living Wage) £11.44
18-20 £8.60
Under 18 £6.40
Apprentice £6.40

When Apprentice Rate Applies

Situation Rate
Under 19, any apprenticeship £6.40
19+, first year of apprenticeship £6.40
19+, after first year Age-related rate

What This Means Annually

Full-Time Earnings (37.5 Hours/Week)

Age Hourly Weekly Monthly Annual
21+ £11.44 £429 £1,858 £22,308
18-20 £8.60 £323 £1,398 £16,770
Under 18 £6.40 £240 £1,040 £12,480

After Tax (21+, Full-Time)

Gross Tax NI Net Monthly
£22,308 ~£1,947 ~£1,192 ~£19,169 ~£1,597

Approximate — depends on tax code and deductions

Different Working Hours

21+ Rate (£11.44/Hour)

Hours/Week Weekly Monthly Annual
16 £183 £793 £9,516
20 £229 £992 £11,896
25 £286 £1,239 £14,872
30 £343 £1,487 £17,846
35 £400 £1,735 £20,820
40 £458 £1,983 £23,795

National Living Wage vs Real Living Wage

Understanding the Difference

Type Rate Legal?
National Living Wage £11.44 (21+) Yes, legal minimum
National Minimum Wage Age-related Yes, legal minimum
Real Living Wage (UK) ~£12.00 Voluntary
Real Living Wage (London) ~£13.15 Voluntary

Real Living Wage

Feature Details
Set by Living Wage Foundation
Based on Actual cost of living
Accredited employers Choose to pay this
Not law But growing number pay it
Check If employer is accredited

What Counts Toward Minimum Wage

Included

Payment Counts
Basic salary/wages Yes
Piece rates Yes
Performance bonus Some
Tips (direct to you) No (separate)

Not Included

Payment Counts
Overtime premium No
Tips No
Expenses No
Benefits in kind Most no

Deductions That Can Reduce Pay

Deduction Effect
Accommodation Can reduce (limited)
Uniform from wages Can reduce if below NMW after
Till shortages Can reduce if below NMW after
Check Your pay after deductions must meet NMW

Common Issues

Who’s Entitled

Entitled Not Entitled
Most workers Genuinely self-employed
Agency workers Company directors
Part-time workers Volunteers
Zero-hours contracts Armed forces
Piece workers Family members (family business)

Are You Being Underpaid?

Warning Sign Check
Payslip confusing Calculate hourly rate
Unpaid “training” Should usually be paid
Working off the clock Should be paid
Deductions reduce below NMW May be illegal
Tips counted toward wage Shouldn’t reduce base

Calculate Your Hourly Rate

Step Action
1 Find total pay on payslip
2 Find total hours worked
3 Divide pay by hours
4 Compare to legal minimum

If You’re Being Underpaid

Steps to Take

Step Action
1 Check calculations (could be error)
2 Talk to employer first
3 Contact ACAS for advice
4 Report to HMRC if unresolved

Where to Get Help

Organisation Contact
ACAS 0300 123 1100
HMRC gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint
Citizens Advice citizensadvice.org.uk

Your Rights

Employer Must Details
Pay at least minimum wage Legal requirement
Not dismiss for raising issue Protected right
Pay back arrears If underpaid
Keep records Of pay and hours

HMRC Enforcement

What Happens Details
Investigation HMRC investigates
Back pay Employee receives arrears
Penalty Employer fined (up to 200% of underpayment)
Naming Employers can be publicly named

Summary: Minimum Wage Quick Reference

Current Rates (April 2025)

Age Rate
21+ £11.44/hour
18-20 £8.60/hour
Under 18 £6.40/hour
Apprentice £6.40/hour

Full-Time Monthly Take-Home

Age Gross Monthly Net Monthly (Approx)
21+ £1,858 £1,560
18-20 £1,398 £1,250

Key Actions

Situation Action
Checking pay Divide total pay by hours
Seem underpaid Speak to employer first
Employer unhelpful Contact ACAS
Need to report HMRC online or phone

When Rates Change

When Details
Each April Rates usually increase
Announced Autumn Budget typically
Check gov.uk for confirmed rates

Everyone deserves at least the legal minimum wage. If you’re not getting it, you have rights — and organisations like ACAS and HMRC will help you enforce them at no cost.

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Sources

  1. GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates