What's the National Minimum Wage in 2026/27?

If you're asking "whats national minimum wage" for the current tax year, the answer depends on your age and whether you are an apprentice. From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. For 18–20 year olds the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is £10.85 per hour, and for 16–17 year olds and apprentices it is £8.00 per hour. These rates are set by the government and apply to most employed workers in the UK.

How to Convert Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

Understanding what an hourly rate means in annual terms is essential for comparing job offers and budgeting. The standard conversion used by employers and HMRC is:

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

For a typical full-time week of 37.5 hours, the NLW of £12.71 per hour gives:

• Gross annual salary: £12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = £24,784.50
• After income tax and National Insurance (2026/27 rates, England/Wales, no pension or student loan): approximately £21,364 net per year, or £1,780 per month

If you work 40 hours per week, the same hourly rate yields £26,436.80 gross per year. Always check your contract for your agreed weekly hours.

Part-Time vs Full-Time: What Changes?

The National Minimum Wage applies per hour, so part-time workers are entitled to the same hourly rate as full-time workers doing the same job. However, annual salary comparisons must be pro-rata. For example, a part-time role at 20 hours per week on the NLW would give:

• £12.71 × 20 × 52 = £13,218.40 gross per year

This is below the personal allowance of £12,570, so no income tax would be due (though National Insurance may still apply if earnings exceed the threshold).

UK Wage Benchmarks: Median Earnings

To put the minimum wage in context, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 reported:

• Median gross annual earnings for full-time employees: £39,039
• Median weekly earnings for full-time employees: £766.60
• Median hourly pay (excluding overtime) for all employees: £17.96

Low-paid jobs (earning less than two-thirds of median hourly pay, i.e., below £11.97) accounted for only 2.5% of employee jobs in 2025, the lowest since records began in 1997. High-paid jobs (earning more than 1.5 times the median, i.e., above £26.94) made up 23.2%.

National Living Wage vs Real Living Wage

It's important to distinguish between the government's National Living Wage (statutory minimum) and the voluntary Real Living Wage calculated by the Living Wage Foundation. For 2025-26, the Real Living Wage is £13.45 per hour across the UK and £14.80 per hour in London. Many employers choose to pay this higher rate to attract and retain staff.

NHS Pay Scales 2026/27

Public sector workers, including NHS staff, have their own pay scales. NHS Employers published the 2026/27 pay scales effective from 1 April 2026, with annual and hourly rates including Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) for London and surrounding areas. For example, a Band 5 nurse (newly qualified) earns around £30,000–£35,000 per year depending on experience and location. These rates are above the NLW and reflect the additional skills and responsibilities required.

Key Considerations When Converting Hourly to Salary

• Hours assumption: Most full-time roles are 37.5 or 40 hours per week. Always confirm your contracted hours.
• Overtime: The NLW applies to all hours worked, but overtime may be paid at a higher rate. Check your contract.
• London weighting: Employers in London often add a supplement to attract workers. This can be a fixed amount or a percentage of salary.
• Tax and deductions: Use our Hourly to Salary tool to see your net pay after income tax, National Insurance, pension, and student loan deductions.
• Part-time pro-rata: If you work part-time, your annual salary is simply your hourly rate multiplied by your weekly hours and 52 weeks.

Summary

The National Minimum Wage for 2026/27 is clear: £12.71 for 21+, £10.85 for 18–20, and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices. When converting to annual salary, use the formula hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For more detailed salary data and comparisons, visit our salary data page. Always check your employment contract and official GOV.UK guidance for the most accurate information.