Apprentice pay is governed by a distinct minimum wage rate that sits below the standard age-related National Minimum Wage, and it only applies for a limited time. This guide sets out the GBP 8.00 apprentice rate for 2026/27, when an apprentice must move onto the standard age-related rate instead, realistic pay by stage from first year to newly qualified, and estimated take-home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance -- which apply to apprentices exactly as they do to any other employee.
Figures assume a standard 37.5-hour week. Many employers, particularly in engineering, tech and finance, pay meaningfully above the statutory minimum to attract stronger candidates.
| Stage | When | Typical pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Year Apprentice (any age) | Year 1 | GBP 14,500--GBP 16,500 | Apprentice minimum wage GBP 8.00/hr; many employers pay slightly above minimum |
| Second-Year Apprentice, under 19 | Year 2 | GBP 14,500--GBP 18,000 | Apprentice rate still applies while under 19 |
| Second-Year Apprentice, 19+ | Year 2 | GBP 18,000--GBP 22,500 | Must move to age-related NMW/NLW rate after first year once 19+ |
| Higher/Degree Apprentice | Any year | GBP 20,000--GBP 28,000 | Level 4-7 apprenticeships in tech, engineering, finance; often above minimum |
| Newly Qualified (post-apprenticeship) | On completion | GBP 24,000--GBP 32,000 | Standard entry-level salary for the qualified trade or profession |
2026/27 England rates. Personal Allowance GBP 12,570, applied in full at these income levels. No student loan or pension deduction applied.
| Scenario | Gross | Income tax | NI | Net/year | Net/month | Keep % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-year apprentice (min. wage) | GBP 15,600 | GBP 606 | GBP 242 | GBP 14,752 | GBP 1,229/mo | 95% |
| Second-year apprentice | GBP 20,000 | GBP 1,486 | GBP 594 | GBP 17,920 | GBP 1,493/mo | 90% |
| Higher apprentice | GBP 24,000 | GBP 2,286 | GBP 914 | GBP 20,800 | GBP 1,733/mo | 87% |
| Newly qualified | GBP 28,000 | GBP 3,086 | GBP 1,234 | GBP 23,680 | GBP 1,973/mo | 85% |
For your exact figure including pension and any other deductions, use the take-home pay calculator.
The apprentice rate, GBP 8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, is the lowest tier of the UK minimum wage structure. It applies to any apprentice aged under 19, and to apprentices aged 19 or over who are still in the first 12 months of their apprenticeship. This is a legal minimum, not a recommended wage -- employers in competitive sectors such as engineering, construction, tech and finance routinely pay well above it to attract stronger candidates.
The rate an apprentice is legally entitled to changes automatically once both conditions are met: they turn 19, and they have completed the first year of their apprenticeship. From that point, the employer must pay at least the standard age-related National Minimum Wage rate -- GBP 10.85 an hour for 18--20-year-olds, or the National Living Wage of GBP 12.71 for those 21 and over. This step change can be substantial: an 18-year-old on the second year of their apprenticeship who turns 19 sees their statutory minimum jump by over 35% overnight.
Higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 4--7), common in engineering, digital technology, accountancy and law, typically pay well above the statutory minimum from the outset, often GBP 20,000--GBP 28,000, reflecting the higher entry requirements and the qualification gained (up to and including a full degree with no tuition fees).
Apprentices pay Income Tax and Class 1 employee National Insurance in exactly the same way as any other employee, with the full GBP 12,570 Personal Allowance and the same 20%/40%/45% tax bands. At typical apprentice earnings levels, most or all pay falls within the tax-free Personal Allowance or the basic rate band, so deductions are modest relative to gross pay.
