Minimum Wage for an 18 Year Old Apprentice in 2026

If you are an 18 year old apprentice in the UK, your minimum hourly pay from April 2026 is £8.00. This rate is set by the government and applies to all apprentices who are either under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. Understanding this rate and how it converts to an annual salary helps you budget and compare job offers.

Official Rates from April 2026

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates change every April. For 2026, the key rates are:

• National Living Wage (21 and over): £12.71 per hour
• 18-20 Year Old Rate: £10.85 per hour
• 16-17 Year Old Rate: £8.00 per hour
• Apprentice Rate: £8.00 per hour

These rates are confirmed by GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates and legislated in the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

Who Gets the Apprentice Rate?

The apprentice rate applies to:

• Apprentices under 19 years old, regardless of how long they have been in their apprenticeship.
• Apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship.

For an 18 year old apprentice, you are under 19, so you are entitled to the apprentice rate of £8.00 per hour. Once you turn 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you must be paid the National Living Wage (£12.71) or the appropriate age-based rate if you are still 19.

Converting £8.00 per Hour to Annual Salary

To estimate your annual gross salary, use the standard conversion: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. Many full-time roles assume 37.5 hours per week, but apprentices often work between 30 and 37.5 hours. Using 37.5 hours:

• Annual salary: £8.00 × 37.5 × 52 = £15,600
• Monthly gross pay: £15,600 ÷ 12 = £1,300

If you work fewer hours, adjust accordingly. For example, 30 hours per week gives £8.00 × 30 × 52 = £12,480 per year. You can use our Hourly to Salary calculator to try different hours.

How the Apprentice Rate Compares

The apprentice rate is significantly lower than the 18-20 rate (£10.85) and the National Living Wage (£12.71). This reflects the training investment employers make. However, after your first year and once you turn 19, your pay must rise to at least £12.71 per hour – a jump of nearly 59%.

Overtime and London Weighting

Statutory minimum wage rates apply to normal hours. Overtime must be paid at the same hourly rate as your normal hours unless your contract specifies a different rate (Labour Relations Agency). There is no statutory London weighting for minimum wage, but some employers in London may offer additional allowances. Always check your contract.

Real-World Considerations

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) noted that the apprentice rate increase of 6% to £8.00 helps keep pay for younger workers in line with older age bands. However, the LPC also highlighted that many low-paid workers are underemployed – wanting more hours than they get. If you are an apprentice, ensure your contract clearly states your hours and that you are paid at least the minimum wage for all time worked, including training.

For more salary comparisons and data, visit our salary articles and salary data pages.

Summary

The minimum wage for an 18 year old apprentice in 2026 is £8.00 per hour, equating to roughly £15,600 annually at 37.5 hours per week. This rate applies until you turn 19 and finish your first year. After that, you move to the higher National Living Wage. Always verify your pay against official GOV.UK rates and your apprenticeship agreement.