The Minimum Wage Rates per Hour Changed from April 2018
The new rates are:
These rates are for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage. The rates change every April.
| Year | 25 and over | 21 to 24 | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2018 | £7.83 | £7.38 | £5.90 | £4.20 | £3.70 |
Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:
- aged under 19
- aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
Example 1:An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £3.70.
Example 2: An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £7.38.
Previous rates
The following rates were for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage from April 2016.
| Year | 25 and over | 21 to 24 | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2017 to March 2018 | £7.50 | £7.05 | ?5.60 | £4.05 | £3.50 |
| October 2016 to March 2017 | £7.20 | £6.95 | £5.55 | £4.00 | £3.40 |
| April 2016 to September 2016 | £7.20 | £6.70 | £5.30 | £3.87 | £3.30 |
To get the living wage, You must be at least:
- school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage
- aged 25 and older to get the National Living Wage – the minimum wage will still apply for workers aged 24 and under
There are some exclusions:
The following types of workers aren’t entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage:
- self-employed people running their own business
- company directors
- volunteers or voluntary workers
- workers on a government employment programme, such as the Work Programme
- members of the armed forces
- family members of the employer living in the employer’s home
- non-family members living in the employer’s home who share in the work and leisure activities, are treated as one of the family and aren’t charged for meals or accommodation, for example au pairs
- workers younger than school leaving age (usually 16)
- higher and further education students on a work placement up to 1 year
- workers on government pre-apprenticeships schemes
- people on the following European Union programmes: Leonardo da Vinci, Youth in Action, Erasmus, Comenius
- people working on a Jobcentre Plus Work trial for 6 weeks
- share fishermen
- prisoners
- people living and working in a religious community
what about Work experience and internships?
You won’t get the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage if you’re:
- a student doing work experience as part of a higher or further education course
- of compulsory school age
- a volunteer or doing voluntary work
- on a government or European programme
- work shadowing
For help and advice on payroll and the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, contact us.
