Age rate guide
Apprentice minimum wage rate for 2026
The apprentice rate is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, but older apprentices move onto age-based minimum wage bands once they are 19 or over and no longer in year one.
£8.00/hr
Effective from 1 April 2026
Who this rate applies to
The apprentice rate applies to apprentices aged under 19, and to apprentices aged 19 or over who are still in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Key checks
- You need both your date of birth and apprenticeship start date to work out the first day the apprentice rate can stop applying.
- If you are aged under 19, the apprentice rate can still apply even after your first anniversary.
- Once you are 19 or over and past year one, the normal 18 to 20 or 21+ band takes over depending on your age.
Questions
Does an apprentice move up on their 19th birthday?
Not always. They must be aged 19 or over and also no longer in the first year of the apprenticeship before the apprentice rate stops applying.
What if I turned 21 during my apprenticeship?
Once the apprentice exception no longer applies, the correct age band takes over. That means the 21 and over rate if you are 21 or older at that point.