UK Minimum Wage Annual Pay: what it adds up to per year
See what the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage add up to per year, month and week for your age and hours. Gross pay, before tax.
- Official sources cited
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Your details
Use 52 for a full year. Lower it for term-time or unpaid weeks. 52.14 is 365 ÷ 7.
Your result
Annual pay (gross)
£24,784.50
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per hourOfficial minimum wage rate for your age group | £12.71 |
| Per dayWeekly pay ÷ days worked per week | £95.33 |
| Per weekHourly rate × hours per week | £476.63 |
| Per fortnightWeekly pay × 2 | £953.25 |
| Per 4 weeksWeekly pay × 4 | £1,906.50 |
| Per monthAnnual pay ÷ 12 | £2,065.38 |
| Per yearWeekly pay × paid weeks per year | £24,784.50 |
| Hours worked per yearHours per week × paid weeks per year | 1,950 |
Based on the £12.71 National Living Wage rate for age 21 and over, in force from 1 April 2026, and 37.5 hours a week, 52 paid weeks a year and 5 days a week. Before tax and National Insurance.
How to use this calculator
- Choose your age group. The hourly rate comes from the official GOV.UK rates, so you do not need to type it.
- Enter the hours you work each week. The result updates as you type.
- Open More options to change the paid weeks (for term-time work) or the days you work.
- All figures are gross, before income tax and National Insurance.
How minimum wage annual pay is worked out
We start with the official hourly rate for your age group. From 1 April 2026 that is £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over. Weekly pay is the hourly rate multiplied by the hours you work in a week. Annual pay is weekly pay multiplied by the paid weeks in the year, which is 52 unless you change it.
Monthly pay is annual pay divided by 12. Fortnightly and 4-weekly pay are two and four weeks of weekly pay. Daily pay is weekly pay divided by the days you work each week.
For example, £12.71 × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks = £24,784.50 a year before tax.
- Weekly pay = hourly rate × hours per week
- Annual pay = weekly pay × paid weeks per year
- Monthly pay = annual pay ÷ 12
Worked examples
National Living Wage, 37.5 hours a week
A typical full-time week for someone aged 21 or over.
Annual pay (gross)
£24,784.50
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per hourOfficial minimum wage rate for your age group | £12.71 |
| Per dayWeekly pay ÷ days worked per week | £95.33 |
| Per weekHourly rate × hours per week | £476.63 |
| Per fortnightWeekly pay × 2 | £953.25 |
| Per 4 weeksWeekly pay × 4 | £1,906.50 |
| Per monthAnnual pay ÷ 12 | £2,065.38 |
| Per yearWeekly pay × paid weeks per year | £24,784.50 |
| Hours worked per yearHours per week × paid weeks per year | 1,950 |
Age 18 to 20, 40 hours a week
A full-time 40-hour week on the 18 to 20 rate.
Annual pay (gross)
£22,568.00
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per hourOfficial minimum wage rate for your age group | £10.85 |
| Per dayWeekly pay ÷ days worked per week | £86.80 |
| Per weekHourly rate × hours per week | £434.00 |
| Per fortnightWeekly pay × 2 | £868.00 |
| Per 4 weeksWeekly pay × 4 | £1,736.00 |
| Per monthAnnual pay ÷ 12 | £1,880.67 |
| Per yearWeekly pay × paid weeks per year | £22,568.00 |
| Hours worked per yearHours per week × paid weeks per year | 2,080 |
National Living Wage, 20 hours a week
A part-time job on half-time hours.
Annual pay (gross)
£13,218.40
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per hourOfficial minimum wage rate for your age group | £12.71 |
| Per dayWeekly pay ÷ days worked per week | £50.84 |
| Per weekHourly rate × hours per week | £254.20 |
| Per fortnightWeekly pay × 2 | £508.40 |
| Per 4 weeksWeekly pay × 4 | £1,016.80 |
| Per monthAnnual pay ÷ 12 | £1,101.53 |
| Per yearWeekly pay × paid weeks per year | £13,218.40 |
| Hours worked per yearHours per week × paid weeks per year | 1,040 |
What each age group earns a year
Gross pay at 37.5 hours a week for 52 paid weeks, at the rates from 1 April 2026. Use the calculator above for your own hours.
| Your age group | Per hour | Per week | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over | £12.71 | £476.63 | £2,065.38 | £24,784.50 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £406.88 | £1,763.13 | £21,157.50 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600.00 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600.00 |
National Living Wage pay by hours worked
Gross pay at the £12.71 National Living Wage (age 21 and over) for 52 paid weeks, before tax.
| Hours per week | Per week | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | £203.36 | £881.23 | £10,574.72 |
| 20 | £254.20 | £1,101.53 | £13,218.40 |
| 24 | £305.04 | £1,321.84 | £15,862.08 |
| 30 | £381.30 | £1,652.30 | £19,827.60 |
| 35 | £444.85 | £1,927.68 | £23,132.20 |
| 37.5 | £476.63 | £2,065.38 | £24,784.50 |
| 40 | £508.40 | £2,203.07 | £26,436.80 |
| 45 | £571.95 | £2,478.45 | £29,741.40 |
Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026
These are the hourly rates set by the government, from 1 April 2026 (GOV.UK). They change on 1 April every year.
The National Living Wage is for workers aged 21 and over. Younger workers and apprentices get the National Minimum Wage rate for their group.
- 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 an hour
- 18 to 20: £10.85 an hour
- Under 18: £8.00 an hour
- Apprentice: £8.00 an hour
What changed on 1 April 2026
The National Living Wage rose by £0.50 an hour, from £12.21 to £12.71, a rise of 4.1%. For someone working 37.5 hours a week for 52 weeks, that is worth £975.00 more a year before tax.
The rise for each age group:
- 21 and over: £12.21 to £12.71 an hour (up £0.50, 4.1%)
- 18 to 20: £10.00 to £10.85 an hour (up £0.85, 8.5%)
- Under 18: £7.55 to £8.00 an hour (up £0.45, 6%)
- Apprentice: £7.55 to £8.00 an hour (up £0.45, 6%)
Which rate do apprentices get?
Apprentices get the apprentice rate (£8.00 an hour) if they are under 19, or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, an apprentice aged 19 or over gets the rate for their age group (GOV.UK).
Why other sites show a slightly different yearly figure
We multiply weekly pay by 52 weeks, the usual convention. At £12.71 and 37.5 hours that gives £24,784.50. A year is really 365 days, or 52.14 weeks, and using that gives £24,851.23. Other sites round a monthly figure first, or use 52.14, so you may see numbers that differ by a few pounds or more.
None of these is wrong: they answer slightly different questions. You can set the paid weeks yourself under More options.
National Living Wage or real Living Wage?
They are different. The National Living Wage is the legal minimum for workers aged 21 and over, set by the government. The real Living Wage is a higher rate calculated by the Living Wage Foundation from living costs, and employers pay it voluntarily (Living Wage Foundation). This calculator uses the legal minimum wage rates only.
Gross pay and take-home pay
These are gross figures: what you earn before income tax and National Insurance. What reaches your bank account is lower. Income tax rates are different in Scotland, which affects take-home pay but not the gross figures here.
Checking you are paid at least the minimum wage
Whether pay meets the minimum wage can depend on unpaid time, deductions, accommodation and how your hours are counted. To check your own pay, use the official GOV.UK minimum wage calculator. To turn a salary into an hourly rate, use our Hourly Wage Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the minimum wage per year in the UK?
From 1 April 2026, a worker aged 21 or over on the National Living Wage (£12.71 an hour) earns £24,784.50 a year for 37.5 hours a week, or £26,436.80 for 40 hours a week. Both are before tax and assume 52 paid weeks.
How much is the minimum wage per month and per week?
On the £12.71 National Living Wage, 37.5 hours a week is £476.63 a week and £2,065.38 a month. 40 hours a week is £508.40 a week and £2,203.07 a month. All before tax.
Is the minimum wage based on 37.5 or 40 hours?
Neither. The minimum wage is an hourly rate, so what you earn a year depends on the hours in your contract. 37.5 and 40 are both common full-time weeks, so we show both. Enter your own hours in the calculator.
What is the minimum wage for 18 to 20 year olds, under 18s and apprentices?
From 1 April 2026: £10.85 an hour for ages 18 to 20, £8.00 for under 18s, and £8.00 for apprentices. At 37.5 hours a week for 52 weeks that is £21,157.50, £15,600.00 and £15,600.00 a year before tax.
Is the minimum wage before or after tax?
Before tax. The minimum wage is a gross hourly rate, so your take-home pay will be lower after income tax and National Insurance.
Why do other calculators show a slightly different yearly figure?
We use 52 paid weeks. Some sites use 52.14 (365 ÷ 7) or round a monthly figure first. At 37.5 hours, 52 weeks gives £24,784.50 and 52.14 weeks gives £24,851.23. Read the full explanation.
What is the difference between the National Living Wage and the real Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the legal minimum for workers aged 21 and over. The real Living Wage is a higher, voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation. Read more.
When does the minimum wage change?
On 1 April every year. The rates on this page took effect on 1 April 2026.
How do I check I am being paid the minimum wage?
Use the official GOV.UK minimum wage calculator. It takes account of things this page does not, such as unpaid time and deductions.
Sources
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
The hourly rates for each age group and apprentices, when they change, and the apprentice rule.
- GOV.UK: National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour
The April 2026 rises in pounds and per cent for each age group.
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and Living Wage calculator for workers
The official tool to check whether your own pay meets the minimum wage.
- Living Wage Foundation: What is the real Living Wage?
Why the voluntary real Living Wage is different from the legal minimum wage.
This is an estimate for guidance only, not financial or legal advice.