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National Minimum Wage

The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice.

You must be at least:

school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage
aged 25 to get the National Living Wage – the minimum wage will still apply for workers aged 24 and under

These rates are for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage. The rates change every April.

Year	25 and over	21 to 24	18 to 20	Under 18	Apprentice
April 2019 (current rate)	£8.21	£7.70	£6.15	£4.35	£3.90
April 2020	£8.72	£8.20	£6.45	£4.55	£4.15

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

Example An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £3.90.

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both:

Example An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £7.70.

The following rates were for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage from April 2016.

Year	25 and over	21 to 24	18 to 20	Under 18	Apprentice
April 2018 to March 2019	£7.83	£7.38	£5.90	£4.20	£3.70
April 2017 to March 2018	£7.50	£7.05	£5.60	£4.05	£3.50
October 2016 to March 2017	£7.20	£6.95	£5.55	£4.00	£3.40
April 2016 to September 2016	£7.20	£6.70	£5.30	£3.87	£3.30

The following rates were for the National Minimum Wage before the National Living Wage was introduced. The rates were usually updated every October.

Year	21 and over	18 to 20	Under 18	Apprentice
2015	£6.70	£5.30	£3.87	£3.30
2014	£6.50	£5.13	£3.79	£2.73
2013	£6.31	£5.03	£3.72	£2.68
2012	£6.19	£4.98	£3.68	£2.65