Help guide
Uniform costs and minimum wage
If you have to pay for uniform, tools, or required clothing, those costs can reduce the pay counted for minimum wage. This guide explains why that matters and what to check.
What counts as a work cost
If the job requires you to pay for uniforms, branded clothing, mandatory shoes, safety gear, or tools, those costs can affect the minimum wage calculation even when they are not deducted directly from your payslip.
Why this matters
A headline hourly rate can look fine while the effective pay counted for minimum wage falls below the legal floor once required costs are taken into account. That is why the calculator includes a separate compliance audit.
Official guidance
HMRC's minimum wage calculation guidance covers deductions and worker costs in more detail.
Open HMRC calculation guidance