What is minimum wage going up to in 2026?

If you’re asking what is minimum wage going up to, the answer is clear: from 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over rises to £12.71 per hour. That’s a 4.1% increase on the 2025 rate of £12.21. For younger workers and apprentices, the increases are even steeper in percentage terms – the 18–20 rate jumps 8.5% to £10.85, while the 16–17 and apprentice rates both climb 6% to £8.00 per hour.

These rates are set by the Low Pay Commission and enacted through the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026. The government expects the NLW to stay ahead of inflation for the year ahead, providing a real‑terms boost for the lowest paid.

How does the hourly rate translate to an annual salary?

Converting an hourly wage to a yearly figure depends on your contracted hours. The most common full‑time patterns in the UK are 35 hours per week (often used in office roles) and 37.5 hours per week (standard in the NHS and many public sector jobs). Using the 37.5‑hour week:

• £12.71 per hour × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks = £24,784.50 per year
• £12.71 per hour × 35 hours × 52 weeks = £23,132.20 per year

For comparison, the UK median full‑time gross annual pay sits at roughly £39,039, which works out at about £20.02 per hour at 37.5 hours. So the new NLW is still well below the median, but it represents a significant floor for the lowest‑paid jobs.

NHS pay scales as a benchmark

The NHS Employers pay scales for 2026/27 provide a useful reference for hourly and annual rates across a wide range of roles. Here are some key entry points:

Band	Role examples	Annual (entry)	Hourly (entry)
2	Healthcare assistant, porter	£31,066	£15.89
3	Support worker, admin	£31,554	£16.14
4	Assistant practitioner	£34,186	£17.48
5	Newly qualified nurse	£38,488	£19.68
6	Specialist nurse, paramedic	£47,951	£24.52
7	Ward manager, advanced practitioner	£58,133	£29.73

These rates include the basic pay only. In London and other high‑cost areas, Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) add 20% (inner London), 15% (outer London) or 5% (fringe) to basic salary, subject to minimum and maximum payments. For example, a Band 5 nurse in inner London would receive at least an extra £5,794 on top of the £38,488 basic.

What about overtime and London weighting?

When comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers, remember that salaried roles often include paid leave, sick pay and pension contributions, while hourly jobs may offer overtime at a premium rate. The NLW applies to every hour worked, but many employers pay time‑and‑a‑half or double time for overtime. London weighting – an additional allowance for working in the capital – can add several thousand pounds to a salary, but it’s not always included in headline hourly rates.

For a deeper dive into UK pay data, visit our salary articles and salary data pages. You can also use our hourly calculator to convert any rate to annual, monthly or weekly figures.

Tax and Universal Credit considerations

The 4.1% NLW increase is a gross rise. Your take‑home pay will depend on income tax and National Insurance deductions, as well as any Universal Credit you receive. Tax thresholds remain frozen for 2026/27, which means that NLW workers who pay tax will see a slightly smaller net increase. Conversely, those on Universal Credit will benefit from a 6.2% increase to the standard allowance – higher than the NLW rise – so their net income may rise more.

The Low Pay Commission projects that two‑thirds of median hourly earnings for workers aged 21 and over could reach between £13.02 and £13.34 by October 2027. That suggests further NLW increases are likely in the next couple of years, keeping the minimum wage on a path towards two‑thirds of median earnings.

Summary

The answer to what is minimum wage going up to is £12.71 per hour for those aged 21 and over, with lower rates for younger workers. When converting to annual salary, use your contracted hours per week and multiply by 52. Always check whether your role includes London weighting, overtime premiums or other allowances. For the most accurate picture of your take‑home pay, consult the official GOV.UK guidance and your employer’s contract.

For more comparisons and tools, explore our topics page or read about about how we calculate hourly‑to‑salary conversions.