Minimum Wage After Tax 2025-26

The National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for 2025-26 are shown below. Select your age group and hours per week to see your exact take-home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance.

UK Minimum Wage Rates 2025-26

Age / Category Hourly rate Weekly (40 hrs) Annual gross
Age 21+ (National Living Wage) £12.21 £488.40 £25,397
Age 18–20 £10.00 £400.00 £20,800
Age 16–17 £7.55 £302.00 £15,704
Apprentice (Year 1 / Under 19) £7.55 £302.00 £15,704

Rates effective from 1 April 2025. Annual gross calculated at 52 weeks × 40 hrs/week.

Age 21+ — National Living Wage £12.21/hr

The NLW applies to all workers aged 21 and over.

8 hrs/week £5,079/yr 10 hrs/week £6,349/yr 12 hrs/week £7,619/yr 15 hrs/week £9,524/yr 16 hrs/week £10,159/yr 20 hrs/week £12,662/yr 24 hrs/week £14,491/yr 25 hrs/week £14,948/yr 30 hrs/week £17,234/yr 35 hrs/week £19,520/yr 37.5 hrs/week £20,663/yr 40 hrs/week £21,806/yr 45 hrs/week £24,091/yr 48 hrs/week £25,463/yr

Age 18–20 — NMW £10.00/hr

Workers aged 18 to 20 are entitled to the NMW at £10.00/hr.

8 hrs/week £4,160/yr 10 hrs/week £5,200/yr 12 hrs/week £6,240/yr 15 hrs/week £7,800/yr 16 hrs/week £8,320/yr 20 hrs/week £10,400/yr 24 hrs/week £12,480/yr 25 hrs/week £12,880/yr 30 hrs/week £14,752/yr 35 hrs/week £16,624/yr 37.5 hrs/week £17,560/yr 40 hrs/week £18,496/yr 45 hrs/week £20,368/yr 48 hrs/week £21,491/yr

Age 16–17 — NMW £7.55/hr

Workers aged 16 and 17 are not yet entitled to the NLW. The NMW is £7.55/hr.

8 hrs/week £3,141/yr 10 hrs/week £3,926/yr 12 hrs/week £4,711/yr 15 hrs/week £5,889/yr 16 hrs/week £6,282/yr 20 hrs/week £7,852/yr 24 hrs/week £9,422/yr 25 hrs/week £9,815/yr 30 hrs/week £11,778/yr 35 hrs/week £13,413/yr 37.5 hrs/week £14,120/yr 40 hrs/week £14,826/yr 45 hrs/week £16,240/yr 48 hrs/week £17,088/yr

Apprentice (Year 1 / Under 19) — £7.55/hr

Apprentices in their first year, or aged under 19, are entitled to the apprentice rate of £7.55/hr.

8 hrs/week £3,141/yr 10 hrs/week £3,926/yr 12 hrs/week £4,711/yr 15 hrs/week £5,889/yr 16 hrs/week £6,282/yr 20 hrs/week £7,852/yr 24 hrs/week £9,422/yr 25 hrs/week £9,815/yr 30 hrs/week £11,778/yr 35 hrs/week £13,413/yr 37.5 hrs/week £14,120/yr 40 hrs/week £14,826/yr 45 hrs/week £16,240/yr 48 hrs/week £17,088/yr

Do you pay tax on minimum wage?

Whether you pay Income Tax on minimum wage depends on your hours worked. The Personal Allowance for 2025-26 is £12,570 — if your annual earnings stay below this, you pay no Income Tax. At the National Living Wage of £12.21/hr, you only exceed the Personal Allowance working more than roughly 20 hours per week (annualised).

National Insurance applies once weekly earnings exceed £242 (the Primary Threshold). Even if you pay no Income Tax, you may still owe NI if a particular week's pay is high. Because NI is assessed weekly, weeks with more hours can trigger a NI deduction even if your annualised earnings are below £12,570.

Customising your take-home pay

The figures on each page are based on the 2025-26 standard tax code (1257L), no pension contributions, and no student loan. Use the interactive calculator on each page to adjust for pension auto-enrolment, student loan plans, or a different tax code. Scotland residents pay slightly different Income Tax rates — use the Scottish tax calculator for an accurate figure.

What is the difference between NLW and NMW?

The National Living Wage (NLW) is the statutory minimum for workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) covers younger workers and apprentices at lower rates. Both are enforced by HMRC; underpayment can result in penalties for employers.

Related calculators:

Living Wage After Tax Zero Hours Contract After Tax Hourly Rate Calculator Income Tax Rates 2025-26 National Insurance