Incomes
UK Minimum Wage 2025 Quick Reference
Current National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates by age. What employers must pay and worker rights for different age groups.
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2 min read
A quick reference to UK minimum wage and National Living Wage rates from April 2025.
Current Rates (April 2025)
Hourly Rates
| Age Group |
Hourly Rate |
| 21 and over (NLW) |
£12.21 |
| 18 to 20 |
£10.00 |
| Under 18 |
£7.55 |
| Apprentice |
£7.55 |
Weekly/Monthly Equivalent (Full-Time 37.5hrs)
| Age |
Hourly |
Weekly |
Monthly |
| 21+ |
£12.21 |
£458 |
£1,987 |
| 18-20 |
£10.00 |
£375 |
£1,625 |
| Under 18 |
£7.55 |
£283 |
£1,228 |
Annual (Full-Time)
| Age |
Hourly |
Annual (37.5hr/wk) |
| 21+ |
£12.21 |
~£23,800 |
| 18-20 |
£10.00 |
~£19,500 |
| Under 18 |
£7.55 |
~£14,750 |
Rate Changes
Recent History
| From |
21+ |
18-20 |
Under 18 |
| April 2025 |
£12.21 |
£10.00 |
£7.55 |
| April 2024 |
£11.44 |
£8.60 |
£6.40 |
| April 2023 |
£10.42 |
£7.49 |
£5.28 |
Upcoming Changes
| Date |
Expected |
| April 2026 |
TBC (usually announced Autumn) |
| Review by |
Low Pay Commission |
Who Gets Which Rate
Age Bands
| Your Age |
Rate |
| 21st birthday |
National Living Wage |
| 18th birthday |
18-20 rate |
| Under 18 |
Under 18 rate |
When Rate Changes
| Event |
New Rate From |
| Turn 18 |
Next pay period |
| Turn 21 |
Next pay period |
| Must be |
Automatic |
Apprentices
Apprentice Rate Applies If
| Condition |
Apprentice Rate |
| Under 19 |
Yes |
| 19+ in year 1 |
Yes |
| 19+ after year 1 |
Age-related rate |
After First Year
| Situation |
Rate |
| Apprentice 19+, year 2 |
Age-related rate |
| Becomes |
18-20 or 21+ rate |
Types of Minimum Wage
Understanding the Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| National Living Wage (NLW) |
Legal minimum for 21+ |
| National Minimum Wage (NMW) |
Legal minimum under 21 |
| Real Living Wage |
Voluntary higher rate |
| London Living Wage |
Voluntary London rate |
Voluntary Living Wages
| Type |
2025 Rate |
| Real Living Wage (UK) |
~£12.60 |
| London Living Wage |
~£13.85 |
| Note |
Voluntary, not legal |
Who Must Be Paid Minimum Wage
Entitled Workers
| Worker Type |
Entitled? |
| Employees |
Yes |
| Agency workers |
Yes |
| Casual/zero hours |
Yes |
| Part-time |
Yes |
| Home workers |
Yes |
| Piece workers |
Yes (on average) |
Exempt
| Situation |
Minimum Wage? |
| Self-employed |
No |
| Volunteers |
No |
| Work experience (1 week) |
No |
| Students on placement |
Varies |
| Company directors |
No (if no contract) |
Checking Your Pay
How to Check
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Total gross pay for period |
| 2 |
Divide by hours worked |
| 3 |
Compare to your rate |
What Counts as Hours
| Counts |
Doesn’t Count |
| Working |
Lunch breaks (if unpaid) |
| Training |
Travel to/from work |
| On-call (at workplace) |
On-call at home |
| Waiting time |
Rest breaks |
What Counts as Pay
| Counts |
Doesn’t Count |
| Basic pay |
Tips |
| Incentive pay |
Premium for overtime |
| Bonus |
Benefits in kind |
If You’re Underpaid
Steps to Take
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Check calculations |
| 2 |
Speak to employer |
| 3 |
Contact ACAS |
| 4 |
Report to HMRC |
| Organisation |
Purpose |
| ACAS |
Advice |
| HMRC |
Enforcement |
| Citizens Advice |
Free guidance |
Protection
| Right |
Details |
| Can’t be dismissed |
For asking about minimum wage |
| Back pay |
Employer must pay arrears |
| Fines |
For employers breaking law |
Summary
| Rate Type |
April 2025 |
| National Living Wage (21+) |
£12.21 |
| 18-20 rate |
£10.00 |
| Under 18 rate |
£7.55 |
| Apprentice rate |
£7.55 |
| Key Dates |
|
| Rates change |
1 April each year |
| Announced |
Autumn Budget |
| If Issues |
Action |
| Underpaid |
Check, then report |
| Questions |
Contact ACAS |
| Employer non-compliant |
HMRC enforcement |