What Is Minimum Wage for an 18 Year Old in the UK?

If you’re 18 and starting work in the UK, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW). From April 2026, the rate for 18‑ to 20‑year‑olds rises to £10.85 per hour – an 8.5% increase on the previous £10.00. This is set by the government and applies to all employees across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For comparison, the National Living Wage (NLW) – which applies from age 21 – will be £12.71 per hour from April 2026. The 18‑20 rate is now 85% of the NLW, part of a long‑term plan to reduce and eventually eliminate the age differential.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual Salary

To understand what £10.85 per hour means as a yearly salary, use the standard conversion:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 weeks

Assuming a typical full‑time week of 37.5 hours (common in many sectors):

• £10.85 × 37.5 = £406.88 per week
• £406.88 × 52 = £21,157.50 per year (gross)

If you work 40 hours per week, the annual figure would be £10.85 × 40 × 52 = £22,568.

Remember that this is gross pay. After Income Tax (personal allowance of £12,570) and National Insurance, your take‑home pay will be lower. Use our salary articles for more on net pay calculations.

How Does the 18‑Year‑Old Minimum Wage Compare to UK Benchmarks?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025, the median hourly pay for all full‑time employees was £19.67 – nearly double the 18‑year‑old minimum. Median full‑time annual earnings stood at £39,039.

So the minimum wage for an 18‑year‑old is well below the national average, which is expected given that younger workers often start in entry‑level roles. However, the 8.5% increase for 2026/27 is a significant boost, aimed at closing the gap with the NLW.

Regional and Sector Differences

While the legal minimum is uniform, actual pay for 18‑year‑olds can vary by region and industry. The NHS, for example, publishes its own pay scales. For 2026/27, the lowest NHS band (Band 1, closed to new entrants) starts at £12.92 per hour, and Band 3 starts at £13.17 – both above the NMW. In London and the South East, many employers add a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) to attract staff.

Unfortunately, the search results do not provide a detailed regional breakdown for 18‑year‑old pay. The ONS ASHE bulletin notes that Northern Ireland saw the highest growth in full‑time weekly earnings (7.4%) in 2025, but this is for all ages. If you’re looking for local data, check our salary data page for more granular insights.

Other Minimum Wage Rates for Young Workers

It’s important to know which rate applies to you:

• Aged 18‑20: £10.85 per hour (from April 2026)
• Aged 16‑17: £8.00 per hour
• Apprentice (under 19, or 19+ in first year): £8.00 per hour

If you are an apprentice aged 18 and in your first year, you are entitled to the apprentice rate of £8.00, not the 18‑20 rate. After your first year (or when you turn 19, whichever comes first), you must be paid the rate for your age.

What About Overtime and London Weighting?

The minimum wage applies to each hour worked. Overtime must still meet the minimum hourly rate, but there is no legal requirement for a higher overtime rate (unlike some other countries). Some employers offer time‑and‑a‑half, but it’s not mandatory.

London weighting is an extra payment some employers add to compensate for higher living costs. It is not part of the legal minimum, but if you work in London, check your contract – you may receive more than the NMW.

Key Takeaways

• The answer to “what is minimum wage for an 18 year old” is £10.85 per hour from April 2026.
• Annual salary at 37.5 hours/week: roughly £21,158.
• The rate is set to increase each April; the 2026 rise is 8.5%.
• Compare with the NLW (£12.71) and median UK pay (£19.67/hr) to see where you stand.
• Use our hourly calculator to convert your own hours and rate.

For more on UK pay benchmarks, visit our topics page covering everything from NHS pay to graduate salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert the hourly minimum wage for an 18‑year‑old into an annual salary?

Multiply the hourly rate by your contracted weekly hours, then by 52 weeks. For a standard 37.5‑hour week at £10.85/hr: £10.85 × 37.5 × 52 = £21,157.50 per year. If you work different hours (e.g., 40 hours), adjust accordingly. Remember that this is gross pay before tax and National Insurance. Use our hourly calculator to try other figures.

Is the minimum wage for an 18‑year‑old the same across the whole UK?

Yes, the National Minimum Wage rates set by the government apply to all of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, some employers (e.g., in London or the South East) may offer higher rates due to higher living costs. The NHS, for example, adds High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) to basic pay. The legal minimum is the same everywhere, but actual pay can vary.

What is the difference between the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage for an 18‑year‑old?

The National Living Wage (NLW) applies to workers aged 21 and over – from April 2026 it is £12.71/hr. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) applies to those aged 16‑20. For 18‑year‑olds, the NMW is £10.85/hr. The government aims to eventually merge the two rates, and the 18‑20 rate is currently 85% of the NLW. Apprentices under 19 or in their first year have a separate rate of £8.00/hr.