DMS Posts

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates

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

Current rates

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 2017
(current)                                    £7.50                     £7.05              £5.60          £4.05           £3.50
April 2018                                  £7.83                    £7.38               £5.90          £4.20           £3.70

 

Apprentices

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

– aged under 19
– aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Example
An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £3.50

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

– are aged 19 or over
– have completed the first year of their apprenticeship

Example
An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £7.05