What Is the Minimum Wage for a 22 Year Old?

If you are 22 years old and working in the UK, the minimum wage you are entitled to from 1 April 2026 is the National Living Wage (NLW) of £12.71 per hour. This rate applies to all workers aged 21 and over, so a 22 year old is treated the same as a 21 year old under the law. The previous rate (2025/26) was £12.21 per hour, meaning an increase of 50p (4.1%).

GOV.UK confirms that the NLW is part of the National Minimum Wage framework, with separate lower rates for 18–20 year olds (£10.85), under‑18s (£8.00), and apprentices (£8.00). The accommodation offset – the amount an employer can deduct if they provide living accommodation – also rises to £11.10 per day.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual Salary

To understand what £12.71 per hour means as a yearly salary, you need to know your typical weekly hours. Many full‑time roles in the UK use a 37.5‑hour week (common in the NHS, civil service, and office jobs). Using the formula:

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

For a 22 year old on the NLW working 37.5 hours per week:

£12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = £24,784.50 per year (gross, before tax and National Insurance).

If you work a different pattern – say 40 hours per week – the annual figure would be £12.71 × 40 × 52 = £26,436.80. Always check your contract for your agreed weekly hours and whether overtime is paid at a premium rate.

How the 2026 NLW Compares to Other Benchmarks

The NLW is the legal floor, but many jobs pay above it. According to ONS ASHE data (on‑site reference), the UK median full‑time gross annual pay is around £39,039, equivalent to roughly £20.02 per hour at 37.5 hours. So the NLW is about 63% of the median – a significant gap, but one that reflects entry‑level and lower‑skilled roles.

For comparison, the NHS pay scales for 2026/27 (published by NHS Employers) show Band 2 (entry level, e.g., healthcare assistant) starts at £12.92 per hour – slightly above the NLW. With inner London High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) of 20%, the hourly rate rises to £15.89. Band 3 starts at £13.17, and Band 5 (newly qualified nurse) at £16.40.

Overtime and London Weighting

Overtime rules vary by employer. The NLW does not mandate a higher overtime rate, but many employers pay time‑and‑a‑half or double time for extra hours. If you regularly work overtime, your actual annual earnings will be higher than the basic conversion.

London weighting is not part of the statutory minimum wage, but employers in high‑cost areas often add a supplement. For example, the NHS outer London HCAS adds 15% of basic salary (minimum £4,870, maximum £6,137), while fringe areas add 5%. In retail and hospitality, London weighting can add £1–£3 per hour on top of the NLW.

Practical Advice for Job Seekers

When comparing a salaried offer with an hourly‑paid job, consider the full package:

• Hours: Is the salaried role based on 35, 37.5, or 40 hours? Overtime may be unpaid for salaried staff.
• Holiday: Both hourly and salaried workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday (pro‑rated for part‑time).
• Pension: Many employers offer pension contributions above the statutory minimum.
• Location: London and South East roles often include weighting or higher base rates.

Use our Hourly to Salary tool to quickly convert any hourly rate to annual and monthly figures. For more detailed comparisons, explore our salary data page which includes median earnings by region and industry.

Key Takeaways for a 22 Year Old

• The statutory minimum wage for a 22 year old is £12.71 per hour from April 2026.
• Full‑time annual equivalent (37.5 hrs/week) is about £24,785 before deductions.
• Many employers pay above the minimum, especially in London and for skilled roles.
• Always check your contract for exact hours, overtime terms, and any location allowances.

For a quick conversion of your own hourly rate to salary, try our hourly calculator.