The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you are an apprentice.
You must be at least:
school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage your school leaving age depends on where you live.
aged 21 to get the National Living Wage – National Minimum Wage will still apply for workers aged 20 and under
In England you can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays
You must then do one of the following until you’re 18:
• stay in full-time education, for example at a college
• start and apprenticeship
• spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
The hourly rates are:
• 21 years and over £12.71
• 18-20 years £10.85
• Under 18 years £8.00
• Apprentice £8.00
These rates represent a 4.1% increase for those aged 21+ and an 8.5% increase for 18–20-year-olds.
Apprentices are entitled to apprentice rate if they are either aged under 19 or aged over 19 and in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices are entitled to minimum wage for their age if they both are aged over 19 or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.
These rates represent a 4.1% increase for those aged 21+ and an 8.5% increase for 18–20-year-olds.
