Minimum Wage for 15 Year Old UK: Age Bands and Eligibility Explained

Understanding the Age Bands for the National Minimum Wage

The UK’s minimum wage system is divided into age bands, with different rates for different groups. The key factor is not just your age but whether you have reached school leaving age. This is the point at which you are no longer required to be in full-time education. In England and Wales, school leaving age is the last Friday in June of the school year in which you turn 16. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, similar rules apply.

Once you are above school leaving age, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW) depending on your age. The rates from April 2026 are:

• 21 and over (NLW): £12.71 per hour
• 18 to 20: £10.85 per hour
• Under 18: £8.00 per hour
• Apprentice (under 19 or first year): £8.00 per hour

These rates are set by the Low Pay Commission and are reviewed annually. The Government accepted the LPC’s recommendations in full for 2026, as confirmed in the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

What About 15-Year-Olds?

If you are 15 years old, you are still of compulsory school age. This means you are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage. There is no statutory minimum wage for 15 year old UK workers. The keyword “minimum wage for 15 year old uk” often comes from young people or parents wondering what pay to expect, but the legal answer is clear: the minimum wage does not apply to you yet.

However, that does not mean you cannot work. Many 15-year-olds take on part-time jobs such as paper rounds, babysitting, or working in a local shop. In these cases, your employer is not legally required to pay you the under-18 rate of £8.00 per hour. Pay is agreed between you and the employer, but it must be reasonable and not exploitative. Local authorities often issue work permits for 15-year-olds, which may include conditions about hours and pay.

It is important to note that even though there is no minimum wage, other employment laws still protect you. For example, you must not work during school hours, and there are limits on how many hours you can work per day and per week. Employers must also ensure your health and safety at work.

The Under-18 Rate: Who Gets It?

Once you reach school leaving age (typically at age 16), you become eligible for the National Minimum Wage at the under-18 rate. From April 2026, that rate is £8.00 per hour. This applies to all workers aged 16 and 17, as well as 18-year-olds who are still in their first year of an apprenticeship (if they are under 19).

If you are 18 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you are entitled to the rate for your age (18–20 rate of £10.85 or the NLW of £12.71 if 21+).

Practical Advice for Young Workers and Job Seekers

If you are under 18 and looking for work, here are some key points:

• Check your eligibility: Make sure you are above school leaving age before expecting the minimum wage.
• Know your rights: Even if you are 15, you have rights under the Working Time Regulations and health and safety law.
• Use official resources: The UK Minimum Wage section on this site has more details on age bands. You can also use the pay guides to understand typical pay for young workers.
• Talk to your employer: If you are 16 or 17 and not receiving at least £8.00 per hour, you may be underpaid. Contact Acas for advice.

How the Rates Are Set

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) recommends rates each year based on economic forecasts and median earnings. For 2026, the LPC estimated that median hourly pay for workers aged 21 and over was £18.10 in April 2025. Using wage growth projections, they calculated that two-thirds of median earnings would fall in a range of £12.66 to £12.84. The NLW was set at £12.71, which is within that range. This ensures the NLW stays ahead of cost-of-living increases for most workers.

For younger age groups, the LPC aims to balance labour market conditions with the Government’s commitment to eventually reduce the gap between the 18–20 rate and the NLW. The 18–20 rate rose by 8.5% in 2026 to £10.85, now 85% of the NLW.

Summary

• 15-year-olds: No statutory minimum wage. Pay is agreed with the employer, but you are not entitled to the NMW.
• 16–17 year olds (above school leaving age): £8.00 per hour from April 2026.
• 18–20 year olds: £10.85 per hour.
• 21 and over: £12.71 per hour.

Always check the current rates on GOV.UK, as they change every April. For more detailed pay data, visit our pay data page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum wage for 15 year olds in the UK?

No. The National Minimum Wage only applies to workers who have reached school leaving age. In England and Wales, that is the last Friday in June of the school year in which you turn 16. A 15-year-old is still of compulsory school age and therefore not entitled to the minimum wage. There is no legal minimum pay for 15-year-old workers, though employers must still follow other employment laws.

Can a 15 year old work and be paid in the UK?

Yes, but with restrictions. 15-year-olds can work part-time (e.g., a paper round or shop work) but only outside school hours and with a work permit from the local authority. There is no statutory minimum wage for them, so pay can be lower than the under-18 rate. However, employers must not treat young workers unfairly and must follow health and safety rules.

What is the minimum wage for under 18s in 2026?

From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for workers aged under 18 (but above school leaving age) is £8.00 per hour. This rate also applies to apprentices under 19 or in their first year. Once a young person turns 18, the rate increases to £10.85 per hour, and at 21 they qualify for the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour.