The minimum wage a worker should get depends on their age and if they’re an apprentice.
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers are entitled to. The National Living Wage is higher than the National Minimum Wage – workers get it if they’re over 25.
It doesn’t matter how small an employer is, they still have to pay the correct minimum wage.
These rates are for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage. The rates change every April.
National Minimum Wage rates from 1st April 2018
- £7.83 for workers 25 and over
- £7.38 for 21-24 yrs
- £5.90 for 18-20 yrs
- £4.20 for 16-17 yrs, who are above school leaving age but under 18
- £3.70 for apprentices under 19 or 19 and over who are in the first year of apprenticeship
Exemptions
There are a number of people who are not entitled to the NMW.
- Self-employed people.
- Volunteers or voluntary workers.
- Company directors.
- Family members, or people who live in the family home of the employer who undertake household tasks.
All other workers including pieceworkers, home workers, agency workers, commission workers, part-time workers and casual workers must receive at least the National Minimum Wage.
