Apprenticeship glossary

National Living Wage

What does National Living Wage mean?

The minimum wage for people aged 21 and over: £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026. Apprentices move onto their age's minimum rate once they're 19 or over and past their first year.

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Guide Apprentice pay explained The legal minimum you'll be paid as an apprentice from April 2026, what apprentices actually earn on average, and what the employers we've researched pay. Applies to: All of the UK
Apprentice minimum wage
The lowest hourly rate an apprentice can legally be paid. From 1 April 2026 it's £8.00 an hour across the UK if you're under 19, or 19 or over and in your first year.
Benefits
Extras you get on top of your pay, such as a pension, extra holiday, discounts or private healthcare. Look at the whole package, not just the salary.
HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs, the UK tax authority. You can complain to HMRC for free if you think you're being paid less than the minimum wage.
Hourly rate
Your pay for each hour you work. The minimum wage is set as an hourly rate, so it's useful for comparing jobs with different hours.
Payslip
The document showing what you were paid and what was taken off. Check it against your contract and the minimum wage.
Apprentice
Someone doing an apprenticeship: an employee who is paid to work and train towards a recognised qualification at the same time.

Definitions are our own plain-English summaries. Where we give figures, they come from the official sources listed on the linked guide or profile. Rules can change, so check the official source before you make decisions.