UK Minimum Wage Yearly Salary: What You’ll Earn in 2026
The UK minimum wage is set as an hourly rate, which means working out what it adds up to over a year depends on how many hours are worked each week. This guide breaks down the annual salary figures for the current minimum wage rates, across different age bands and common working patterns.
Current UK Minimum Wage Rates (from April 2026)
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates are:
| Age Band | Hourly Rate (from April 2026) |
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 (National Minimum Wage) | £10.85 |
| Under 18 and most apprentices (National Minimum Wage) | £8.00 |
These rates are reviewed annually by the Low Pay Commission, with new rates typically announced at the Autumn Budget and taking effect from 1 April each year.
Yearly Salary on the National Living Wage (£12.71/hr, Age 21+)
The figure that matters most for an annual salary calculation is how many hours are worked per week. Common full-time working patterns in the UK are 35, 37.5, and 40 hours per week.
| Weekly Hours | Weekly Pay | Approx. Annual Salary |
| 35 hours | £444.85 | £23,122 |
| 37.5 hours | £476.63 | £24,775 |
| 40 hours | £508.40 | £26,437 |
These figures are calculated as hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 weeks, giving a gross (before tax) annual figure. Actual take-home pay will be lower once Income Tax and National Insurance contributions are deducted, depending on individual circumstances and tax code.
Yearly Salary by Age Band (37.5 Hours/Week)
| Age Band | Hourly Rate | Approx. Annual (37.5 hrs/week) |
| 21 and over | £12.71 | £24,775 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £21,159 |
| Under 18 / apprentice | £8.00 | £15,600 |
Part-Time Minimum Wage Yearly Salary
Many minimum wage roles are part-time, and the annual figure scales proportionally with hours. For example, someone aged 21+ working 20 hours a week at £12.71 would earn approximately £13,218 a year before tax (£12.71 × 20 × 52).
The same calculation — hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 — applies to any number of weekly hours, making it straightforward to estimate annual earnings for any part-time pattern.
Gross vs Take-Home Pay
The figures above are gross annual salary — the amount before any deductions. Take-home pay depends on several factors:
- Income Tax: The Personal Allowance (the amount earned before Income Tax applies) has been frozen, which means as wages rise, a greater proportion of income can become subject to tax — sometimes called “fiscal drag”
- National Insurance: Deducted based on earnings above a separate threshold
- Pension contributions: Workplace pension auto-enrolment typically deducts a percentage of qualifying earnings, unless opted out
- Student loan repayments: Apply only above certain income thresholds, depending on the repayment plan
Because of these factors, take-home pay will be somewhat lower than the gross figures shown above — an online take-home pay calculator using current tax thresholds gives the most accurate personalised figure.
National Living Wage vs the Real Living Wage
It’s worth distinguishing between two different figures that sometimes cause confusion:
- National Living Wage: The legal minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over, set by the government (£12.71/hour from April 2026)
- Real Living Wage: A voluntary rate calculated independently by the Living Wage Foundation based on the actual cost of living, which employers can choose to pay but aren’t legally required to. The Real Living Wage is higher than the National Living Wage and includes a separate, higher rate for London reflecting the higher cost of living there
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK minimum wage as a yearly salary?
For someone aged 21 or over working 37.5 hours a week at the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour (from April 2026), the approximate gross annual salary is £24,775. The exact figure depends on weekly hours worked, since the minimum wage is set as an hourly rate.
How is yearly salary calculated from an hourly minimum wage rate?
Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week, then by 52 weeks. For example, £12.71 × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks ≈ £24,775 gross per year.
Does the minimum wage change every year?
Yes — UK minimum wage rates are reviewed annually by the Low Pay Commission and typically increase from 1 April each year, following confirmation at the Autumn Budget the previous year.
Is the minimum wage the same for everyone?
No — the rate depends on age. The National Living Wage (the highest rate) applies to workers aged 21 and over, while younger workers and most apprentices receive lower rates under the National Minimum Wage.
What’s the difference between the National Living Wage and the Real Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the legally required minimum, set by the government for workers aged 21 and over. The Real Living Wage is a higher, voluntary rate calculated by the Living Wage Foundation based on living costs, which some employers choose to pay but aren’t legally obliged to.
Final Thoughts
Because the UK minimum wage is set hourly rather than as a fixed salary, the yearly figure depends entirely on how many hours are worked each week — a straightforward hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 calculation gives the gross annual figure for any working pattern. With rates reviewed and typically increased every April, it’s worth checking the current GOV.UK rates when working out an up-to-date annual figure, particularly for anyone budgeting around a new job or pay rise.