Apprentice Wage Calculator
Enter your details to find your correct minimum wage and estimated take-home pay.
Find your correct apprentice minimum wage, see when you qualify for the higher age-band rate, and calculate your annual salary and take-home pay.
Enter your details to find your correct minimum wage and estimated take-home pay.
From 1 April 2026, the following National Minimum Wage rates apply to apprentices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
| Apprentice Age & Year | Hourly Rate | Rate Name | Weekly (30 hrs) | Annual (48 wks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 19 — any year | £7.55 | Apprentice Rate | £226.50 | £10.002 |
| Age 19+ — Year 1 | £7.55 | Apprentice Rate | £226.50 | £10.002 |
| Age 18–20 — Year 2+ | £10.00 | Age 18–20 Rate | £300.00 | £14,400 |
| Age 21–24 — Year 2+ | £11.44 | Age 21–24 Rate | £343.20 | £16,474 |
| Age 25+ — Year 2+ | £12.21 | National Living Wage | £366.30 | £17,582 |
Annual figures based on 30 hours/week × 48 weeks. Apprenticeships typically run 48 weeks per year (allowing for annual leave). Source: GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage rates
The rule for when apprentices move to the higher age-band rate has two conditions that must both be met simultaneously:
If only one condition is met, the £7.55 apprentice rate still applies.
Jake is under 19, so he stays on the apprentice rate of £7.55/hr throughout his apprenticeship — regardless of which year he is in. When he turns 19 AND enters Year 2, his rate increases.
Sarah is 19+ but in Year 1, so she receives the apprentice rate of £7.55/hr in Year 1. In Year 2, because she is 21–24, her rate jumps to £11.44/hr — a rise of £3.89/hr. At 25 she’ll move to the NLW of £12.21/hr.
Maya is 19+ and in her second year. She earns the 18–20 rate of £10.00/hr. When she turns 21, she moves to £11.44/hr immediately — not just at April uprating.
Tom is under 19, so he earns £7.55/hr throughout. At 18, in Year 3, he is still under 19 so the apprentice rate continues. Only when he turns 19 (while still past Year 1) does his rate increase to £10.00/hr.
There is an important distinction between the legal minimum and what organisations consider a fair living wage.
| Rate | Hourly (2026/27) | Annual (30 hrs / 48 wks) | Set By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice NMW | £7.55 | £10.002 | UK Government (legal minimum) |
| NMW Age 18–20 | £10.00 | £14,400 | UK Government (legal minimum) |
| NMW Age 21–24 | £11.44 | £16,474 | UK Government (legal minimum) |
| National Living Wage (NLW) | £12.21 | £17,582 | UK Government (legal minimum, 25+) |
| Real Living Wage (UK) | £12.60 | £18,144 | Living Wage Foundation (voluntary) |
| Real Living Wage (London) | £13.85 | £19,944 | Living Wage Foundation (voluntary) |
The Living Wage Foundation calculates rates based on the actual cost of living. Over 14,000 UK employers voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage. Apprentices at these employers may receive higher pay than the legal minimum.
The apprentice minimum wage of £7.55/hr only applies during the first year of an apprenticeship (or if you're under 19). Once you turn 19 AND have completed your first year, you're entitled to the full NMW rate for your age band — £10.00/hr (18-20), £11.44/hr (21-24), or £12.21/hr (25+). Many apprentices don't realise they qualify for a higher rate.
The apprentice rate from 1 April 2026 is £7.55 per hour. This applies to:
Once an apprentice is aged 19+ and has completed their first year, they receive the NMW for their age: £10.00/hr (18–20), £11.44/hr (21–24) or £12.21/hr (25+ NLW).
An apprentice moves to the higher age-band rate when both of the following conditions are met:
Both conditions must be met simultaneously. If a 20-year-old completes Year 1 and moves to Year 2, their rate increases to £10.00/hr immediately — not just at the next April uprating.
No — the £7.55 apprentice rate applies only in specific circumstances. It does not apply to an apprentice who is both aged 19 or over and past their first year. A 30-year-old starting an apprenticeship would receive £7.55/hr in Year 1, but in Year 2 they would receive £12.21/hr (the NLW) because they are 25+.
No. All time spent as part of your apprenticeship — including off-the-job training, college days, and compulsory online learning — must be paid at least at the applicable minimum wage rate. Your employer cannot reduce your pay for training time or pay a lower rate for non-hands-on work.
If you believe you are being underpaid for training time, you can report this to HMRC at gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights.
Yes. Once you complete your apprenticeship, you are no longer classed as an apprentice and must immediately be paid at least the National Minimum Wage rate for your age group. Your employer does not have to wait until the next April uprating.
Similarly, if you turn 19 and enter Year 2 of your apprenticeship during the year, your rate should change on that date — not at the next April.