Minimum Wage for a 17-Year-Old in 2025: What You Need to Know

If you’re 17 and starting a job in 2025, the legal minimum you must be paid is £7.55 per hour. This rate is set by the government and applies to all 16- and 17-year-old employees (and apprentices under 19 or in their first year). It’s part of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) framework, which has different rates for different age groups.

The 2025 Rates at a Glance

From 1 April 2025, the hourly minimum wage rates are:

• National Living Wage (21 and over): £12.21
• 18-20 year old rate: £10.00
• 16-17 year old rate: £7.55
• Apprentice rate (under 19 or first year): £7.55

These figures come from GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates and are confirmed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in their Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025.

How Much Is That Per Year?

Converting an hourly rate to an annual salary depends on how many hours you work each week. A common full-time working week is 37.5 hours (often used in retail, hospitality, and admin roles). But many 17-year-olds work part-time while studying, so your actual hours may be lower.

Example calculations:

• 37.5 hours per week: £7.55 × 37.5 × 52 weeks = £14,722.50 per year
• 20 hours per week (typical student job): £7.55 × 20 × 52 = £7,852 per year
• 15 hours per week: £7.55 × 15 × 52 = £5,889 per year

Use our hourly to salary calculator to work out your own estimate. Remember, these are gross figures before tax and National Insurance.

Common Myths About Hourly Pay and Overtime

Myth 1: “The minimum wage is the same for everyone.”

No. The UK has age-based bands. A 17-year-old can legally be paid less than a 21-year-old doing the same job. The government has stated its ambition to reduce the age threshold for the National Living Wage to 18, but for now the lower rate for 16-17 year olds remains.

Myth 2: “Overtime must always be paid at a higher rate.”

There is no law requiring time-and-a-half or double time for overtime. However, your average hourly pay across the pay period (usually a week or month) must not fall below the minimum wage. If you work extra hours and your average drops below £7.55, your employer must top up your pay. Always check your employment contract – some employers do offer premium rates for overtime, but it’s not a legal right.

Myth 3: “Annual salary is just hourly rate × 40 × 52.”

Many people assume a 40-hour week, but full-time in the UK is often defined as 35-37.5 hours (especially in sectors like retail and healthcare). The ONS ASHE uses 30+ hours for full-time classification. Always use your actual contracted hours. Also, unpaid breaks, shift patterns, and holiday pay can affect your real annual earnings.

Myth 4: “You can’t earn more than the minimum wage at 17.”

False. The minimum wage is a floor, not a ceiling. Many employers pay more, especially in sectors with skills shortages or where they want to retain young workers. Some 17-year-olds earn well above £7.55, particularly in London where the Living Wage Foundation recommends a voluntary “real living wage” of £13.85 (London) or £12.60 (UK) for workers aged 18+.

How the Minimum Wage Compares to Average Earnings

To give context, the median hourly pay for all full-time employees in the UK was £19.67 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE). The median full-time annual salary was £39,039. So a 17-year-old on £7.55 is earning about 38% of the median hourly rate. That’s typical for entry-level and part-time roles.

Tax and Deductions for 17-Year-Olds

Your personal allowance for Income Tax in 2025/26 is £12,570. If you earn less than that in a tax year, you pay no income tax. Many 17-year-olds working part-time will fall below this threshold. National Insurance contributions start when you earn over £242 per week (2025/26). At £7.55 per hour, you’d need to work more than 32 hours per week to start paying NI.

What If You’re Paid Below the Minimum Wage?

It is illegal for your employer to pay you less than the National Minimum Wage. If you think you’re being underpaid, you can:

• Speak to your employer (they may not realise the rate changed)
• Check your payslips and hours
• Contact HMRC’s National Minimum Wage helpline
• Make a complaint via

Final Thoughts

Knowing your rights around the minimum wage for a 17-year-old in 2025 helps you avoid being underpaid and plan your finances. Use our salary articles for more tips on understanding your payslip, and check the salary data for average pay in different jobs.

Remember: the figures here are based on official government rates and ONS data. Always verify your own situation with your employer and refer to official guidance.