Employment Rights

Minimum Wage Checker

Millions of workers in the UK are underpaid without realising it. Enter your age and hourly rate to check if your employer is breaking the law.

Your Details

£
!

You are being UNDERPAID

The legal minimum for your age is £12.71/hr.

What you are missing out on:

Shortfall per week:£82.88
Shortfall per year:£4,309.50
Your Gross Weekly Pay£393.75
Legal Minimum Weekly Pay£476.63

Understanding Minimum Wage Rates

In the UK, the legal minimum you can be paid depends on your age. There are two main terms you will hear:

  • National Living Wage (NLW): This is the highest rate and applies to everyone aged 21 and over. It is currently £12.71 an hour (April 2026 rules).
  • National Minimum Wage (NMW): This applies to workers under 21 and apprentices. It is split into different age bands.

Apprentice Rates

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they are either:

  • Aged under 19
  • Aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.

If you are 19 or older and have completed your first year, you must be paid the minimum wage for your actual age.

Common Ways Employers Break the Rules

Even if your contract says you earn the minimum wage, you might actually be underpaid. Common tricks or mistakes include:

  • Unpaid Working Time: Asking you to arrive 15 minutes early to set up, or stay late to close the shop, but only paying you for your scheduled shift. This brings your average hourly rate down.
  • Uniform Deductions: Making you pay for your uniform out of your wages. If this deduction pushes your pay below the legal minimum, it is illegal.
  • Training Time: Not paying you for mandatory training sessions or team meetings.

What to do if you are being underpaid

If our checker shows you are being paid below the legal limit:

  1. Check your payslip: Use our Payslip guide to ensure there isn't a legal deduction you missed (like a salary sacrifice scheme, which can legitimately reduce your hourly rate).
  2. Talk to your employer: It might be a simple payroll error, especially if you recently had a birthday that moved you into a new age band.
  3. Report to HMRC: If your employer refuses to correct your pay, you can report them to HMRC via the Gov.uk website. It is strictly confidential. HMRC will investigate, fine the employer, and ensure you get your back-dated pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the legal minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over. For the 2026/27 tax year, this rate is £12.71 per hour.
What should I do if I am not being paid minimum wage?
First, speak to your employer. It might be a genuine payroll mistake. If they refuse to fix it, you can report them to HMRC completely anonymously. HMRC will investigate and force them to pay you back.
Does minimum wage apply to zero-hours contracts?
Yes. The minimum wage applies to almost all workers in the UK, including part-time workers, agency workers, and those on zero-hours contracts.