Comparison · Wages · 2026
Apprentice Rate vs National Living Wage UK 2026: Full Pay Comparison
From 1 April 2026, the Apprentice Rate rises to £8 an hour while the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over rises to £12.71 an hour — a substantial gap that narrows the moment an apprentice turns 19 and completes their first year. Here is how the two compare.
TL;DR - 30-Second Summary
- - Apprentice Rate: £8/hour, for apprentices under 19, or 19+ in their first apprenticeship year
- - National Living Wage: £12.71/hour, for all workers aged 21 and over
- - The switch: once an apprentice turns 19 and finishes year one, they must be paid their full age-band rate, not the Apprentice Rate
Side by Side: Apprentice Rate vs National Living Wage
| Feature | Apprentice Rate | National Living Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate (from 1 April 2026) | £8 | £12.71 |
| Who qualifies | Apprentices under 19, or 19+ in apprenticeship year one | All workers aged 21 and over |
| Weekly pay (37.5 hours) | £300 | £476.63 |
| Annual pay (37.5 hours/week) | £15,600 | £24,785 |
| Holiday and other statutory rights | Same as any employee | Same as any employee |
Worked Example: 37.5-Hour Working Week
On a standard full-time 37.5-hour week, an apprentice on the Apprentice Rate earns £300a week, or £15,600 over a full year. A worker aged 21 or over on the National Living Wage earns £476.63 a week, or £24,785 over a full year — a gap of £9,185 a year at the same number of hours.
That gap closes automatically, without any employer discretion, the moment the apprentice turns 19 and completes their first year on the apprenticeship — at which point the law requires payment at the full National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.
Apprentice Rate vs National Living Wage — Frequently Asked Questions
Who is entitled to the Apprentice Rate?
The Apprentice Rate (£8/hour from 1 April 2026) applies to apprentices aged under 19, and to apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. It is the lowest of the statutory minimum wage age bands.
When does an apprentice move onto the National Living Wage?
An apprentice must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage rate for their age (not the Apprentice Rate) once they turn 19 and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship. So a 22-year-old apprentice in year two of their apprenticeship is legally entitled to the full National Living Wage (£12.71/hour from 1 April 2026), not the Apprentice Rate.
Can an employer pay an apprentice below the Apprentice Rate?
No. The Apprentice Rate is a legal minimum, and it is a criminal offence for an employer to pay less than it (or less than the appropriate age-band rate once the apprentice qualifies for it). Employers can choose to pay more than the statutory minimum — many do, particularly in sectors competing for apprentices — but £8/hour is the legal floor for a qualifying apprentice.
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Does an apprentice get holiday pay and other statutory rights?
Yes. Apprentices are employees with the same statutory rights as other workers of their age, including at least 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave, rest breaks, and protection from unlawful deductions. The lower Apprentice Rate applies only to the hourly pay rate itself, not to any of these other statutory employment rights.
How much less does an apprentice earn compared with the National Living Wage?
On a standard 37.5-hour week, the Apprentice Rate works out at about £300 a week (£15,600 a year), compared with about £476.63 a week (£24,785 a year) on the National Living Wage — a gap of roughly £9,185 a year at full-time hours.
Do apprentices pay income tax and National Insurance?
Yes, apprentice pay is treated the same as any other employment income for tax purposes. Given the current £12,570 Personal Allowance, most apprentices on the Apprentice Rate working full-time hours will still pay little or no income tax, since their gross annual pay is often close to or below the allowance, though this depends on total hours worked and any other income.
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Disclaimer: This is general information, not employment law advice. Minimum wage rates are set annually and reviewed by the Low Pay Commission — always check the current rate before relying on these figures. See gov.uk National Minimum Wage rates.
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