Age rate guide
National Minimum Wage for workers aged 21 and over
If you are 21 or older, the 1 April 2026 legal minimum rate is £12.71 an hour before looking at accommodation adjustments or other job-related deductions.
£12.71/hr
Effective from 1 April 2026
Who this rate applies to
This band covers most adult workers in the UK once they reach 21. It is the highest core hourly minimum in the April 2026 structure.
Key checks
- Compare your actual hourly rate with the legal floor before overtime enhancements or bonuses.
- Check whether uniform or equipment costs you paid yourself should reduce the pay counted for minimum wage.
- Use the take-home estimate to translate your gross hourly rate into likely money in your pocket.
Questions
Is this the National Living Wage band?
Yes. From 1 April 2026, workers aged 21 and over fall into the highest adult minimum wage band in the UK.
Can deductions push me below the legal minimum even if my headline hourly rate looks fine?
Yes. Uniform costs, tools, or accommodation charges above the daily offset can reduce the pay counted for minimum wage purposes.