What's the National Minimum Wage in 2026?

If you're comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, the first question is often what's the national minimum wage. The answer depends on your age and the year, because rates change every April. From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) rises to £12.71 per hour, up from £12.21 in 2025. For younger workers, the 18-20 rate becomes £10.85, and the 16-17 and apprentice rates both become £8.00 per hour. These figures are set by the Low Pay Commission and confirmed by the government.

How to Compare Hourly and Annual Pay

When you're looking at a job advert, you might see an hourly rate or an annual salary. To compare them fairly, you need to convert one to the other. The standard conversion used across UK pay research is:

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

For a typical full-time role of 37.5 hours per week, the National Living Wage of £12.71 gives an annual equivalent of roughly £24,785. That's the legal minimum for someone aged 21 or over working full-time. But many jobs pay more. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS ASHE), the median full-time employee in the UK earned £39,039 per year in April 2025, which works out at about £19.67 per hour on the same 37.5-hour basis.

Hourly Jobs vs Salaried Offers: What to Watch For

Hourly jobs often come with overtime pay, shift premiums, or London weighting. Salaried roles may include bonuses, pension contributions, or other benefits. When comparing, always check:

• Contracted hours: A salaried role might expect 40 hours but only pay for 37.5. An hourly job pays for every hour worked.
• Overtime: Hourly workers often get time-and-a-half or double time. Salaried staff may not get extra pay for extra hours.
• Holiday pay: Most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday. Hourly workers have this included in their rate; salaried workers have it built into the annual figure.
• London weighting: Jobs in London often include an additional allowance, sometimes £3,000-£5,000 per year.

Use our salary data page to see typical earnings by occupation and region.

The National Minimum Wage in Context

The National Living Wage applies to workers aged 21 and over. It's designed to be a minimum floor, not a target. The Low Pay Commission expects the 2026 rate to stay ahead of inflation, giving a real-terms increase. For a full-time worker on 35 hours per week, the increase from £12.21 to £12.71 adds about £11.90 to weekly take-home pay (after tax and National Insurance), according to GOV.UK analysis.

For younger workers, the rates are lower:

• 18-20 year olds: £10.85 per hour from April 2026 (up from £10.00)
• 16-17 year olds: £8.00 per hour (up from £7.55)
• Apprentices: £8.00 per hour (up from £7.55)

These rates apply to most workers, but there are exceptions for apprentices in their first year and some other categories. Always check the official guidance on GOV.UK.

How the Median Salary Compares

The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025 shows that median weekly earnings for full-time employees were £766.60, a 5.3% increase on the year. Median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £19.67. That's about 55% higher than the National Living Wage. The gap reflects the fact that many jobs in sectors like finance, IT, and management pay well above the minimum.

If you're considering a job offer, use our Hourly to Salary tool to see the annual equivalent of an hourly rate, or break down a salary into an hourly figure. Remember that the conversion assumes a steady 52-week year with no unpaid leave. Actual pay may vary with shift patterns, overtime, and benefits.

Key Takeaways

• From April 2026: National Living Wage £12.71/hr (21+), 18-20 £10.85/hr, under 18 £8.00/hr, apprentice £8.00/hr.
• Median UK full-time salary: £39,039 per year (2025), about £19.67/hr.
• Conversion rule: Annual ≈ hourly × hours per week × 52.
• Always check your contract: Some roles include London weighting, overtime, or bonus pay that isn't captured by the basic rate.

For more detailed comparisons, browse our salary articles on specific industries and regions.