How Much Is the Minimum Wage in 2026?

If you’re asking “how much is the minimum wage” for the coming year, the answer depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice. From 1 April 2026, the UK government has increased all minimum wage rates following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission. Here’s what you need to know.

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage Rates (April 2026)

• National Living Wage (21 and over): £12.71 per hour (up from £12.21 in 2025)
• 18-20 year old rate: £10.85 per hour (up from £10.00)
• Under 18 rate: £8.00 per hour (up from £7.55)
• Apprentice rate: £8.00 per hour (up from £7.55)

These rates are set out in The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and apply across the whole of the UK. The accommodation offset – the amount an employer can count towards the minimum wage if they provide living accommodation – also rises to £11.10 per day.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

To work out your approximate annual salary from an hourly rate, use this simple formula:

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

For a full-time worker on a typical 37.5-hour week, the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour gives:

£12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = £24,784.50 per year

If you work a different number of contracted hours, adjust accordingly. For example, a 40-hour week would give £26,436.80 per year. Remember, this is gross pay before tax and National Insurance deductions. The tax-free Personal Allowance for 2026/27 remains at £12,570, so you’ll pay income tax on earnings above that.

Regional Differences: London Weighting and HCAS

While the minimum wage is a national floor, actual pay often varies by region. In London and the South East, many employers offer a “London weighting” or “higher cost area supplement” to help with the higher cost of living.

For NHS staff, the 2026/27 pay scales include clear examples:

• Inner London HCAS: Up to 20% of basic salary, with a minimum payment of £5,794 and maximum of £8,746.
• Outer London HCAS: 15% of basic salary (min £4,870, max £6,137).
• Fringe areas: 5% of basic salary (min £1,346, max £2,270).

This means an NHS Band 2 worker on the entry rate of £12.92 per hour would see their hourly pay rise to around £15.89 in inner London – well above the National Living Wage.

Seniority and Pay Progression

The minimum wage is just the starting point. As you gain experience and move into higher-skilled roles, your hourly rate can increase significantly. NHS pay bands illustrate this:

• Band 2 (entry): £12.92/hr – typical for healthcare assistants
• Band 5 (entry): £16.40/hr – typical for newly qualified nurses
• Band 5 (top): £19.97/hr – after experience and progression
• Band 7 (entry): £25.26/hr – for advanced practitioners or team leaders

Outside the NHS, many sectors have their own pay scales. The UK median full-time gross annual pay is around £39,039 (based on ONS ASHE data), which works out to roughly £20.02 per hour at 37.5 hours per week. That’s well above the minimum wage, reflecting the fact that most workers earn more than the legal floor.

What About Overtime and Bonuses?

When converting hourly to annual salary, it’s important to note that the figures above assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips, or salary sacrifice. If you regularly work overtime, your actual annual earnings could be higher – but overtime pay may be at a different rate (often time-and-a-half or double time). Always check your contract for overtime terms.

Using Our Tools

To quickly convert your own hourly rate to an annual or monthly salary, try our Hourly to Salary calculator. You can also explore salary data for different occupations and regions to see how your pay compares to UK averages.

Summary

So, how much is the minimum wage in 2026? For most adults (21+), it’s £12.71 per hour, or roughly £24,785 per year on a full-time contract. Younger workers and apprentices have lower rates, but many employers pay above the minimum – especially in London and for senior roles. Use the conversion rule of thumb (hourly × hours per week × 52) to estimate your annual salary, and remember that actual take-home pay depends on your specific contract, location, and any additional payments.

For more articles on UK pay and employment, visit our salary articles section.