The minimum wage is quoted as an hourly rate, but what most people really want to know is what it adds up to over a year — and whether a job paying it is enough to live on. From April 2025 the National Living Wage is £12.21 an hour for workers aged 21 and over. This table turns that into annual pay by the hours you work each week, for 2025/26.
- The National Living Wage is £12.21 an hour (21 and over) from April 2025.
- A full-time week of 37.5 hours works out to about £23,810 a year.
- Different age groups get lower rates (£10.00 for 18–20, £7.55 under 18 and apprentices).
- These are gross figures — tax and National Insurance reduce take-home above £12,570.
National Living Wage as annual pay (£12.21/hour)
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Annual pay (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | £195 | £10,159 |
| 20 | £244 | £12,698 |
| 25 | £305 | £15,873 |
| 30 | £366 | £19,048 |
| 35 | £427 | £22,222 |
| 37.5 | £458 | £23,810 |
| 40 | £488 | £25,397 |
Check whether your pay meets the legal minimum with the minimum wage checker.
The other age and apprentice rates
The National Living Wage only applies from age 21. Younger workers and apprentices have lower minimums for 2025/26:
| Rate | Hourly | Full-time (37.5 hrs) annual |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.21 | about £23,810 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.00 | about £19,500 |
| Under 18 | £7.55 | about £14,723 |
| Apprentice | £7.55 | about £14,723 |
Gross versus take-home
The figures above are gross pay. Once annual pay passes the £12,570 personal allowance, income tax and National Insurance start to apply. A full-time minimum-wage worker on about £23,810 keeps most of it, but not all — see what's deducted with the take-home pay calculator. Holiday pay is on top: every worker is entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, explained in our holiday pay guide.
Some pay doesn't count towards the minimum Tips and service charges don't count towards minimum wage — your basic pay alone must meet it. And unlawful deductions (for uniforms or tools) that take you below the minimum are illegal. If your average pay falls short, you're owed the difference.
[!FAQ] Q: What is minimum wage as an annual salary in 2025/26? A: At £12.21 an hour, a full-time 37.5-hour week works out to about £23,810 a year gross. A 40-hour week is about £25,397.
Q: How much is £12.21 an hour per year? A: It depends on your hours — about £19,048 at 30 hours a week, £22,222 at 35, or £23,810 at 37.5 hours over 52 weeks.
Q: What is the minimum wage for under-21s? A: £10.00 an hour for 18–20 year olds and £7.55 for under-18s and apprentices, from April 2025.
Q: Is minimum wage before or after tax? A: The £12.21 rate is gross pay. Income tax and National Insurance apply once annual pay passes £12,570, reducing take-home.
Q: Do tips count towards minimum wage? A: No. Tips never count; your basic pay alone must meet the legal minimum.
Rates are effective from 1 April 2025. Annual figures assume 52 paid weeks and are gross of tax and National Insurance.