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Am I Being Paid the Right Minimum Wage? 5 Tricks Employers Use to Underpay
5 min read
The National Minimum Wage for apprentices rose to £7.55/hour from April 2026. This rate applies to apprentices in their first year, and to those under 19 regardless of year. Here's a practical guide to what apprentice pay looks like on a payslip.
When Does the Apprentice Rate Apply?
- First year of any apprenticeship: £7.55/hour (regardless of age)
- Aged under 19: £7.55/hour (regardless of apprenticeship year)
- Aged 19+ AND in second year or above: The full National Minimum Wage for your age applies (£10.00/hour for 18–20; £12.71/hour for 21+)
Full-Time Take-Home on £7.55/hour (First Year, Under 19)
- Gross Annual (37.5hrs/week): £14,746
- Gross Monthly: £1,228.83
- Income Tax: £0 (below the personal allowance)
- National Insurance: £0 (below the NI threshold of £12,570)
- Pension: Usually £0 (below auto-enrolment trigger earnings of £10,000 if under 22, or may be enrolled at employer's discretion)
- Monthly Take-Home: ~£1,229 (essentially gross)
What Happens When You Turn 19 in Year 2?
Apprentices aged 19+ in their second year jump to the NMW for their age group. A 19-year-old jumps from £7.55 to £10.00/hour — a 32% pay rise. A 21-year-old would jump from £7.55 to £12.71/hour — a 68% increase. This is one of the most significant pay jumps in any worker's career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer pay less than £7.55 if I'm on a higher-level apprenticeship?
No. The £7.55 minimum applies to all apprenticeships in their first year, regardless of level (Level 2 to Level 6 degree apprenticeships). Paying less is a minimum wage violation.
Should apprentices claim uniform tax relief?
Yes — if your employer provides a uniform that you must wear and maintain, or requires you to buy specific tools or safety equipment, you may be entitled to flat-rate tax relief. For those earning below the personal allowance (as most first-year apprentices do), this has limited immediate benefit, but it's worth noting for when your pay increases.
Check your apprentice take-home with our Apprentice Pay Calculator.