Minimum Wage Age 16: Hourly Rates and Annual Salary Guide 2026/27

Understanding the minimum wage age 16 is essential for young people entering the workforce, parents, and employers. The UK government sets separate minimum wage rates for different age groups, and these change each April. This guide explains the current rates, how to convert hourly pay into an annual salary, and how the 16-17 rate compares with other benchmarks.

Current Minimum Wage Rates for 16-Year-Olds

From 1 April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for 16-17 year olds rises to £8.00 per hour, up from £7.55 in 2025. This is a 6% increase. The same rate applies to apprentices aged 16-18 (or those aged 19+ in their first year of apprenticeship). These rates are set by the Low Pay Commission and approved by Parliament.

For comparison, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over will be £12.71 per hour from April 2026, and the rate for 18-20 year olds will be £10.85 per hour. The 16-17 rate is the lowest because it is aimed at those who are likely to be in education or training and working fewer hours.

Converting Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

To estimate an annual salary from an hourly rate, a common rule of thumb is:

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

For a 16-year-old on £8.00 per hour working a typical full-time week of 37.5 hours:

£8.00 × 37.5 × 52 = £15,600 per year

However, many 16-year-olds work part-time, perhaps 15–20 hours per week alongside education. At 20 hours per week, the annual figure would be:

£8.00 × 20 × 52 = £8,320 per year

It is important to note that these are gross figures before tax and National Insurance. The Personal Allowance for income tax is £12,570 for 2026/27, so a 16-year-old working full-time at minimum wage would pay some tax, while a part-time worker earning under that threshold would pay none.

Comparing Hourly Jobs with Salaried Offers

When comparing a job paid by the hour with a salaried position, consider the following:

• Hourly jobs often pay overtime at a higher rate (e.g., time-and-a-half), but may have fewer guaranteed hours.
• Salaried roles provide a fixed annual amount, often with paid holiday and sick pay, but overtime may be unpaid.
• For a 16-year-old, many roles are hourly (retail, hospitality, catering) and offer flexibility around school or college.

If you are offered a salary, you can work backwards to see the equivalent hourly rate. For example, a salaried offer of £12,000 per year for 30 hours per week works out at:

£12,000 ÷ (30 × 52) ≈ £7.69 per hour – which would be below the minimum wage for a 16-year-old in 2026, so that offer would be illegal.

Always check that any pay offer meets at least the minimum wage age 16 rate. Use our Hourly to Salary calculator to convert between the two.

UK Earnings Benchmarks

According to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025, median full-time weekly earnings were £766.60, and median annual earnings for full-time employees were £39,039. The median hourly rate (excluding overtime) for full-time employees was £19.67. These figures are much higher than the minimum wage for 16-year-olds, reflecting the fact that most full-time workers are older and more experienced.

For more detailed salary data, see our salary data page, which breaks down earnings by occupation and region.

London Weighting and Regional Differences

Some employers, particularly in London and the South East, offer a London weighting or higher cost-of-area supplement. For example, NHS pay scales include High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) that add 5% to 20% to basic pay depending on the zone. A 16-year-old working in London may therefore receive more than the statutory minimum, but the legal floor remains £8.00 per hour.

Important Caveats

• The annual salary estimates above assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips, or salary sacrifice.
• Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, and whether you are paid weekly or monthly.
• If you work irregular hours, your annual income will vary.
• Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for the latest rates.

For more articles on UK pay and employment, visit our salary articles section.

Summary

The minimum wage age 16 for 2026/27 is £8.00 per hour. This converts to an annual salary of around £15,600 for a full-time 37.5-hour week, but most 16-year-olds work fewer hours. Always compare hourly and salaried offers carefully, and use our tools to ensure you are being paid at least the legal minimum.