Minimum wage for 18 year olds in 2025: hourly, weekly and annual pay explained

Understanding the minimum wage for 18‑year‑olds in 2025

If you’re 18 and starting work or looking for a job, knowing the legal minimum you should be paid is essential. The minimum wage 18 year old 2025 rate is set by the government and applies to most workers aged 18 to 20. From 1 April 2025, that rate is £10.00 per hour. This is part of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) framework, which also includes lower rates for under‑18s and apprentices, and a higher National Living Wage (NLW) for those aged 21 and over.

It’s important to understand that this is a floor, not a target. Many employers pay more, especially in sectors like retail, hospitality, and logistics where competition for young workers is strong. But the law says you cannot be paid less than £10.00 per hour for standard working hours (excluding overtime).

Hourly rates and what they mean for your pay

The statutory hourly rate is the starting point for working out your pay. For an 18‑year‑old, the rate is £10.00. Compare that to the NLW for workers aged 21 and over, which is £12.21 per hour in 2025 – a difference of £2.21 per hour. That gap reflects the government’s policy of phasing in a single adult rate, but for now, 18‑year‑olds are on a lower tier.

If you’re an apprentice aged 18, the minimum is £7.55 per hour for the first year (or if you’re under 19). After your first year, you must be paid the appropriate NMW rate for your age.

From hourly to weekly and annual earnings

To see what the hourly rate means in practice, multiply it by your usual weekly hours. A common full‑time week for young workers is around 35 to 40 hours.

• 35‑hour week: £10.00 × 35 = £350 gross per week
• 40‑hour week: £10.00 × 40 = £400 gross per week

Over a year (52 weeks), that gives:

• 35‑hour week: £18,200 gross annual salary
• 40‑hour week: £20,800 gross annual salary

These are before any deductions. For context, the ONS reports that median weekly earnings for all full‑time employees in April 2025 were £766.60 – roughly double what an 18‑year‑old on the minimum might earn. That’s because the median includes older, more experienced workers in higher‑paid roles.

What to watch out for: take‑home pay and deductions

Your gross pay is not what you take home. As an employee, you’ll have:

• Income tax – you have a personal allowance of £12,570 (2025/26), so if you earn below that, you pay no tax. On £18,200, you’d pay tax on about £5,630 at 20%, which is £1,126 per year.
• National Insurance – Class 1 contributions are 8% on earnings above £242 per week. On £350 per week, that’s about £8.64 per week.

So your take‑home pay might be around £320–£330 per week on a 35‑hour contract. Always check your payslip and use a take‑home pay calculator to be sure.

Also remember that if you work overtime, you should be paid at least the minimum wage for those extra hours. Some employers offer time‑and‑a‑half or other enhancements, but the legal minimum still applies.

Looking ahead: minimum wage changes for 2026

The government announces new rates each year, usually in the autumn, to take effect the following April. For 2026, the rates have already been confirmed:

• 21 and over: £12.71 per hour
• 18–20: £10.85 per hour
• Under 18: £8.00 per hour
• Apprentice: £8.00 per hour

So if you’re 18 in 2026, your minimum hourly rate will rise to £10.85. That’s an increase of 8.5% from the 2025 rate. Planning your finances with this in mind can help you budget.

For more detailed guidance on how pay is calculated and what to expect from different types of work, see our pay guides and UK Minimum Wage homepage. You can also explore pay data for typical earnings by age and sector.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage for an 18‑year‑old in 2025?

From 1 April 2025, the National Minimum Wage for workers aged 18 to 20 is £10.00 per hour. This is the legal minimum your employer must pay you, unless you are an apprentice (in which case the apprentice rate of £7.55 per hour may apply in the first year).

How much can an 18‑year‑old earn per week on the minimum wage?

If you work a typical 35‑hour week at £10.00 per hour, your gross weekly pay would be £350. For a 40‑hour week, it would be £400. Your actual take‑home pay will be less after deductions for tax and National Insurance.

Will the minimum wage for 18‑year‑olds increase in 2026?

Yes. The Government has announced that from 1 April 2026 the rate for 18–20 year olds will rise to £10.85 per hour. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over will increase to £12.71 per hour.