National Living Wage · 2025/26
UK Minimum Wage 2025/26
From 1 April 2025 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour — a 6.7% rise from £11.44. Full rates for all age bands, a history table from 2016, and annual earnings calculations are below.
Current Rates (April 2025)
How Much is the NLW Per Year?
These are gross figures before Income Tax and National Insurance. The standard full-time week varies by employer — 37.5 h and 40 h are the most common.
| Hours/week | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37.5 hrs | £457.88 | £1,984.13 | £23,809.50 |
| 40 hrs | £488.40 | £2,116.40 | £25,396.80 |
Formula: £12.21 × hours/week × 52 weeks. Monthly = annual ÷ 12. 40 h/week example: £12.21 × 40 × 52 = £25,396.80/yr.
NLW vs NMW — Who Qualifies?
National Living Wage (NLW) — applies to all workers aged 21 and over. The NLW was introduced in April 2016 for over-25s; the age threshold was lowered to 23 in April 2021 and to 21 in April 2024.
National Minimum Wage (NMW) — 18 to 20 — workers in this band receive the development rate (£10.00/hr in 2025/26), which is lower than the NLW.
National Minimum Wage (NMW) — under 18 — applies to workers above compulsory school leaving age but under 18. Rate: £7.55/hr.
Apprentice rate — applies if the apprentice is under 19, OR is 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. Rate: £7.55/hr. Once an apprentice is 19+ and past their first year they become entitled to the rate for their age band.
Note: The NLW/NMW is a statutory floor. It is not the same as the voluntary Living Wage Foundation rates (Real Living Wage / London Living Wage).
NLW & NMW History 2016–2025
All rates effective 1 April of the relevant tax year. The NLW age threshold changed from 25+ (2016–2020), to 23+ (2021–2023), to 21+ (2024 onwards).
| Tax year | NLW (21+) | 18–20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26Current | £12.21 | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
| 2024/25 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| 2023/24 | £10.42 | £7.49 | £5.28 | £5.28 |
| 2022/23 | £9.50 | £6.83 | £4.81 | £4.81 |
| 2021/22 | £8.91 | £6.56 | £4.62 | £4.30 |
| 2020/21 | £8.72 | £6.45 | £4.55 | £4.15 |
| 2019/20 | £8.21 | £6.15 | £4.35 | £3.90 |
| 2018/19 | £7.83 | £5.90 | £4.20 | £3.70 |
| 2017/18 | £7.50 | £5.60 | £4.05 | £3.50 |
| 2016/17 | £7.20 | £5.30 | £3.87 | £3.30 |
Source: gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates. Pre-2021 NLW was for workers aged 25+; 2021–2023 for 23+; from April 2024 for 21+.