The apprentice minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, rising to £8.31 from 1 April 2027. It is the lowest legal rate in the UK, but it only applies to some apprentices and only for a limited time. This guide explains who can be paid it, when your pay must go up and what that means each week.
At a glance
- Apprentice rate: £8.00 an hour, rising to £8.31 on 1 April 2027.
- Who gets it: apprentices under 19, and those 19 or over in their first year.
- After year 1 (aged 19+): you must get the full minimum wage for your age.
- Training time must be paid.
Apprentice minimum wage rates
| Rate | From 1 April 2026 | From 1 April 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice rate | £8.00 | £8.31 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £8.31 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £11.27 |
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £13.21 |
Who gets the apprenticeship minimum wage?
- Apprentices aged 16 to 18 for the whole of their apprenticeship, until they turn 19.
- Apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship only.
Once you are 19 or over and have finished your first year, you must get at least the minimum wage for your age. For a 19 or 20 year old that is £10.85, and for 21 and over it is £12.71. See GOV.UK: apprentice pay and conditions.
Minimum wage for apprentices: examples
| Apprentice | Hourly minimum | 30 hours a week | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17, any year | £8.00 | £240.00 | £12,480.00 |
| 18, first year | £8.00 | £240.00 | £12,480.00 |
| 19, second year | £10.85 | £325.50 | £16,926.00 |
| 24, first year | £8.00 | £240.00 | £12,480.00 |
| 24, second year | £12.71 | £381.30 | £19,827.60 |
A 24 year old apprentice’s legal minimum jumps from £8.00 to £12.71 an hour on the first anniversary of starting, a rise of more than half. Check your own pay with the hourly wage calculator.
What time must be paid?
Apprentices must be paid for their normal working hours and for time spent on training that is part of the apprenticeship, including off-the-job training at college or online. You must also get at least 20 days of paid holiday plus bank holidays, and the same rights as other employees.
The apprentice minimum wage only ever applies to apprentices on a recognised apprenticeship with an apprenticeship agreement. Trainees and interns who are not apprentices must get the normal rate for their age.
Many employers pay more
The minimum apprentice wage is a floor, not a typical wage. Many employers, especially in engineering, finance and the public sector, pay well above it. When comparing apprenticeships, look at the pay in year two and after qualifying as well as the starting rate.
What to do if you are underpaid
Talk to your employer first, with your payslips and hours. If that does not work, contact Acas for free advice, or complain to HMRC, which enforces the minimum wage and can make employers pay arrears. Read more in our minimum wage guide and minimum wage by age.
Frequently asked questions
Is the apprentice minimum wage the same as the under 18 rate?
From April 2026 both are £8.00 an hour, but they apply to different people.
Do apprentices pay tax?
Yes, like other employees, if they earn over the Personal Allowance of £12,570 a year. National Insurance starts above £242 a week.
Does the apprentice rate apply to degree apprentices?
Yes, the same rules apply to all levels, although degree apprenticeships usually pay much more.
When does the apprentice wage go up?
Every April. The rate rises to £8.31 on 1 April 2027.