Minimum Wage for a 17-Year-Old in the UK

If you are 17 and starting your first job or looking for part-time work, it is important to know what you should be paid. The UK government sets a legal minimum hourly rate for different age groups. For a 17-year-old, this is the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for under-18s. This guide explains the current and upcoming rates, how to convert your hourly pay into an annual or monthly salary, and what to consider if you work part-time or full-time.

Current and Upcoming Rates for 17-Year-Olds

According to GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates, the hourly rate for workers aged 16 and 17 (and for apprentices under 19 or in their first year) is:

• From 1 April 2026: £8.00 per hour
• Until 31 March 2026: £7.55 per hour

The rate increased by 6% in April 2026, as confirmed by the Low Pay Commission summary. This is significantly lower than the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over, which will be £12.71 per hour from April 2026. The lower rate reflects that younger workers often have fewer responsibilities and are more likely to be in training or education.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual Salary for a 17-Year-Old

To estimate your annual gross salary from an hourly rate, use the standard formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

This assumes you work the same number of hours every week for a full year, with no unpaid breaks. For a 17-year-old, the number of hours you work can vary widely:

• Part-time (e.g., 15 hours per week): £8.00 × 15 × 52 = £6,240 per year
• Part-time (e.g., 20 hours per week): £8.00 × 20 × 52 = £8,320 per year
• Maximum full-time (40 hours per week): £8.00 × 40 × 52 = £16,640 per year

Remember that under-18s cannot legally work more than 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day, so the full-time figure is a cap. Most 17-year-olds work part-time alongside education, so the lower figures are more realistic.

If you want to calculate your own salary based on your exact hours, use our Hourly to Salary tool. You can also explore typical earnings for different age groups in our salary data section.

Part-Time vs Full-Time: What Assumptions Should You Use?

When converting hourly pay to an annual figure, the hours-per-week assumption is crucial. For a 17-year-old, there is no single 'standard' working week. Many work 10–20 hours per week in retail, hospitality, or fast food. If you are on a zero-hours contract, your weekly hours may fluctuate, so your annual income will vary.

For a rough monthly salary, divide the annual figure by 12. For example, £6,240 per year is about £520 per month before tax. Because the Personal Allowance for income tax is £12,570 (2026/27), most 17-year-olds earning part-time wages will pay no income tax. However, if you earn more than £242 per week (the National Insurance threshold), you may pay a small amount of Class 1 National Insurance.

How Does the Minimum Wage for 17-Year-Olds Compare to Other Benchmarks?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 shows that median hourly earnings for all full-time employees were £19.67. This is far above the under-18 minimum wage, reflecting the higher pay of older, more experienced workers. For context, the National Living Wage for those aged 21+ is £12.71 per hour from April 2026, which is 59% higher than the under-18 rate.

NHS pay scales for 2026/27 start at £12.92 per hour for Band 1 (closed to new entrants), but these are for adult roles. A 17-year-old working in a hospital as a cleaner or support worker would still be entitled to at least the NMW, but many NHS roles pay above the minimum.

Important Caveats

• Apprentices: If you are a 17-year-old apprentice, you may be paid the apprentice rate (£8.00 from April 2026) for the first year, or if you are under 19. After the first year, you must be paid the appropriate age-related minimum wage.
• Overtime and London Weighting: The statutory minimum wage does not include overtime premiums or location allowances. Some employers may pay more, but the legal minimum is £8.00 per hour.
• Holiday Pay: You are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (pro-rata for part-time). This is usually included in your hourly rate or paid separately. When calculating annual salary, holiday pay is already accounted for if you use the formula above (since you are paid for 52 weeks, including holiday).
• Tips and Bonuses: Tips, service charges, and bonuses do not count towards the minimum wage. Your employer must pay at least £8.00 per hour before any extra payments.

For more detailed guidance on how your pay is calculated, visit our topics page or read related salary articles.

Summary

The minimum wage for a 17-year-old in the UK is £8.00 per hour from April 2026. To estimate your annual salary, multiply your weekly hours by 52 and then by £8.00. Most 17-year-olds work part-time, so a typical annual income might be between £6,000 and £8,000. Always check your contract and use official GOV.UK resources to ensure you are being paid correctly.