How Much Is Minimum Wage UK? 2026/27 Rates Explained

If you're asking how much is minimum wage UK for the current year, the answer depends on your age and employment status. From April 2026, the National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) is £12.71 per hour. This is a 4.1% increase from the previous rate of £12.21. For younger workers, the National Minimum Wage rates are £10.85 for 18–20 year olds and £8.00 for 16–17 year olds and apprentices.

These statutory minimums are set by the government and apply to most employed workers across the UK. Employers must pay at least these rates for every hour worked, including time spent training, travelling between sites, or waiting for shifts.

Annual Salary Equivalent at Minimum Wage

To understand what these hourly rates mean as an annual salary, you need to know your contracted weekly hours. The standard conversion used by employers and HMRC is:

Annual salary = hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 weeks

For a typical full-time week of 37.5 hours (common in the NHS and many public sector roles), the National Living Wage gives:

• £12.71/hr × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks = £24,784.50 per year (about £2,065 per month before deductions)

If you work 40 hours a week, the annual figure rises to £26,436.80. For 35 hours, it's £23,132.20. Our salary data page includes a full breakdown for different weekly hours.

For comparison, the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 reported median full-time gross annual earnings of £39,039 and median hourly earnings of £19.67 (excluding overtime). This shows that the minimum wage is significantly below the national median, but it provides a crucial floor for low-paid workers.

NHS Pay Scales and Hourly Rates

The NHS uses Agenda for Change pay bands with set hourly rates. For 2026/27, these range from £12.92 per hour (Band 2) to £66.37 per hour (Band 9) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, based on a 37.5-hour week. Scotland uses a 36-hour week and slightly different rates. NHS staff may also receive a High Cost Area Supplement (London weighting): Inner London gets 20% of basic salary (min £5,794, max £8,746), Outer London 15%, and fringe areas 5%.

These NHS rates are higher than the minimum wage for most bands, but they illustrate how hourly rates translate into annual salaries in a large employer. For example, a Band 5 nurse (newly qualified) earns between £16.40 and £19.97 per hour, giving an annual salary of roughly £32,000 to £39,000.

Take-Home Pay After Tax and NI

Your actual take-home pay depends on tax code, National Insurance, pension contributions, and any student loan repayments. For a single person on the National Living Wage (£12.71/hr, 37.5 hours) with the standard 1257L tax code and no pension or student loan, estimated monthly take-home pay is about £1,780 (2026/27 England/NI rates). This is after income tax of roughly £2,443 and National Insurance of £977 per year.

Use our Hourly to Salary calculator to get a personalised estimate including your specific deductions.

Overtime, Shift Work, and London Weighting

Your actual earnings can be higher than the basic hourly rate if you work overtime, night shifts, weekends, or public holidays. NHS enhancements, for example, add 30% for weekday nights and Saturdays (Bands 4–9) and 60% for Sundays and public holidays. London weighting can add thousands to your annual salary.

However, when converting an hourly rate to an annual salary, always start with your contracted hours and basic rate. Overtime and premiums are additional and not guaranteed.

Key Caveats

• The conversion formula (hourly × hours × 52) assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid leave. Holiday pay is usually included in your annual salary.
• Some employers use 52.14 weeks (365.25 ÷ 7) for calculations, but the difference is under £40 per year on minimum wage.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (e.g., pension contributions, cycle to work) reduce your gross pay for tax purposes but cannot take you below the minimum wage.
• Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for your specific situation.

Summary

The answer to how much is minimum wage UK for 2026/27 is clear: £12.71 per hour for those aged 21 and over, with lower rates for younger workers and apprentices. Converting that to an annual salary gives roughly £24,784.50 for a 37.5-hour week. For personalised calculations, use our tools and refer to official sources like ONS ASHE and GOV.UK.