What Will Minimum Wage Be in 2026? A Guide to UK Hourly and Annual Rates

If you're asking what will minimum wage be in 2026, the answer depends on your age and sector. The UK government has confirmed new rates effective from 1 April 2026, following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission. This article explains the official figures, how to convert hourly pay to an annual salary, and what this means for NHS workers and other employees.

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage 2026

From April 2026, the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over rises to £12.71 per hour. This is a 4.1% increase from the 2025 rate of £12.21. The government also increased the 18–20 rate to £10.85 per hour, and the 16–17 and apprentice rates to £8.00 per hour. These rates are set out in the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and apply across the UK.

To convert the NLW hourly rate to an annual salary, use the standard formula:

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

For a typical full-time week of 37.5 hours:

£12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = £24,784.50 per year

If you work 40 hours per week, the annual figure would be £12.71 × 40 × 52 = £26,436.80. Always check your contract for your exact weekly hours.

NHS Pay Scales 2026/27

The NHS publishes annual and hourly pay scales for its Agenda for Change bands. These are useful benchmarks because they cover a wide range of healthcare roles and include London weighting (Higher Cost Area Supplements, or HCAS).

Key entry-point salaries for 2026/27:

• Band 2 (e.g., healthcare assistant): £25,272 per year (£12.92 per hour)
• Band 3: £25,760 per year (£13.17 per hour)
• Band 4: £28,392 per year (£14.52 per hour)
• Band 5 (newly qualified nurse): £32,073 per year (£16.40 per hour)
• Band 6 (specialist nurse): £39,959 per year (£20.44 per hour)
• Band 7 (advanced practitioner): £49,387 per year (£25.26 per hour)
• Band 8a: £57,528 per year (£29.42 per hour)
• Band 9 (most senior): £112,782 per year (£57.68 per hour)

NHS staff in London and the South East receive HCAS on top of their basic pay. For Inner London, the supplement is 20% of basic salary (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746). For Outer London it is 15%, and for Fringe areas it is 5%. This means a Band 5 nurse in Inner London could earn around £38,488 per year including HCAS.

How to Use Hourly-to-Salary Conversion

Our Hourly to Salary tool lets you quickly see annual and monthly equivalents. The conversion assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonuses, or salary sacrifice. For example, if you earn £15 per hour for 37.5 hours a week, your annual salary would be £15 × 37.5 × 52 = £29,250.

Remember that actual take-home pay depends on tax (Income Tax and National Insurance), pension contributions, student loan repayments, and any additional payments like overtime or shift allowances. Always refer to your payslip and official GOV.UK guidance for accurate deductions.

What About Overtime and London Weighting?

When calculating your annual salary from an hourly rate, distinguish between your basic contracted hours and any overtime. Overtime is often paid at a premium (e.g., time-and-a-half) and may not be guaranteed. London weighting, as seen in NHS HCAS, is an additional payment on top of your base salary. If you work in London, your effective hourly rate including weighting will be higher.

For more detailed salary data, visit our salary data page for benchmarks across industries.

Summary

The 2026 minimum wage rates are now law. The National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour translates to roughly £24,785 per year for a 37.5-hour week. NHS pay scales start above the minimum wage and include London supplements. Use the conversion formula or our calculator to estimate your own annual salary from an hourly rate.

For further reading, explore our salary articles on UK wage trends and tax implications.