Age rate guide
National Minimum Wage for 16 to 17 year olds
The legal minimum for 16 to 17 year olds is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, before looking at any work-related costs that can reduce the pay counted for compliance.
£8.00/hr
Effective from 1 April 2026
Who this rate applies to
This band covers workers of compulsory school leaving age and above who are 16 or 17 and are not on the apprentice exception.
Key checks
- Turning 18 usually triggers the next legal jump, unless apprenticeship rules still place the worker on the apprentice rate.
- Required clothing, safety gear, or tools paid by the worker can create an underpayment even where the payslip rate looks correct.
- Weekly calculations are useful for part-time shifts because a small hourly gap is still actionable when it repeats every pay cycle.
Questions
When should the 18 to 20 rate start?
The higher age band should apply from the first pay reference period starting on or after the worker's 18th birthday.
What if I am also an apprentice?
A worker who is an apprentice may fall under the apprentice rate instead, depending on age and whether they are still in year one.