Understanding the Under 18 Minimum Wage

The under 18 minimum wage is the legal minimum hourly pay for workers who are above school leaving age but under 18. It is set by the UK government each year and applies to most employees, including part-time workers and apprentices (in their first year). Knowing this rate is essential for young job seekers, employers, and anyone converting hourly pay into annual or monthly salary.

Current and Upcoming Rates

According to GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates, the under 18 rate is £7.55 per hour from April 2025 to March 2026. From 1 April 2026, it rises to £8.00 per hour – a 6% increase. The same rate applies to apprentices under 19 (or those in their first year of apprenticeship).

For comparison, the National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) is £12.21 in 2025/26 and £12.71 from April 2026. The 18–20 rate is £10.00 and £10.85 respectively. These higher rates reflect the government's aim to phase out lower age bands over time.

Converting Hourly to Annual Salary

To estimate your annual salary from an hourly rate, use the formula:

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

For the under 18 minimum wage:

• At 37.5 hours per week (common full-time equivalent): £7.55 × 37.5 × 52 = £14,722.50 (2025/26). From April 2026: £8.00 × 37.5 × 52 = £15,600.
• At 30 hours per week (typical for students): £7.55 × 30 × 52 = £11,778 (2025/26). From April 2026: £8.00 × 30 × 52 = £12,480.
• At 20 hours per week: £7.55 × 20 × 52 = £7,852 (2025/26). From April 2026: £8.00 × 20 × 52 = £8,320.

Remember that these are gross figures before tax, National Insurance, and any deductions. Most under 18 workers earn below the Personal Allowance (£12,570), so they may pay no income tax. However, National Insurance contributions may apply if weekly earnings exceed £242 (2025/26 threshold).

What the Data Shows

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes detailed earnings data through the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The ONS Low and High Pay bulletin for 2025 notes that the lowest-earning employees are aged 16–21 and concentrated in elementary occupations and hospitality. In April 2025, median hourly pay for all employees was £17.96, and low pay (two-thirds of median) was £11.97 – well above the under 18 minimum wage.

The ONS also estimates that around 447,000 employee jobs were paid below the minimum wage in April 2025 (1.5% of jobs), but cautions that this is not a measure of non-compliance due to survey limitations.

Practical Considerations

• School leaving age: You must be above school leaving age to be entitled to the minimum wage. In England, this is the last Friday in June of the school year you turn 16.
• Apprentices: If you are an apprentice under 19, or in your first year of apprenticeship regardless of age, you are entitled to the apprentice rate (£7.55 in 2025/26, £8.00 from April 2026). After the first year, you must be paid the appropriate age-based rate.
• London weighting: The minimum wage rates are national; some employers in London add a location allowance, but this is not mandatory. The Living Wage Foundation's real living wage (£12.60 outside London in 2025) is a voluntary benchmark.
• Overtime: There is no legal requirement to pay overtime rates for under 18s, but your average hourly pay over the pay reference period must not fall below the minimum wage.

Using Our Tools

To quickly convert any hourly rate to annual or monthly salary, try our hourly calculator. For more articles on UK pay scales and salary data, visit our salary articles and salary data pages. We also have a topics section covering everything from minimum wage to median earnings.

Summary

The under 18 minimum wage is £7.55 per hour in 2025/26, rising to £8.00 from April 2026. Annual salary depends on hours worked – a full-time equivalent (37.5 hours/week) yields roughly £14,700 to £15,600 gross. Most under 18 workers earn below the tax threshold, but National Insurance may apply. Always check your contract and official guidance from GOV.UK for the most up-to-date rates.

Disclaimer

Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Annual ≈ hourly × hours/week × 52. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.