Minimum Wage for a 15 Year Old UK: What You Need to Know

Minimum Wage for a 15 Year Old UK: Understanding Your Rights

If you are a 15-year-old looking for work in the UK, you may be wondering about the minimum wage you are entitled to. The short answer is that there is no statutory minimum wage for 15-year-olds. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) only apply from school leaving age, which is 16. However, there are important exceptions and voluntary arrangements that can affect what you earn.

The Law on Minimum Wage for Under 16s

GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates state that you must be at least school leaving age to get the NMW. For a 15-year-old, this means you are not covered by the legal minimum. Employers are not required by law to pay you a specific hourly rate. This can leave young workers in a vulnerable position, but many employers choose to pay a fair wage voluntarily.

The Apprentice Exception

If you are a 15-year-old working as an apprentice, the situation is different. The apprentice rate applies to apprentices who are either under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. From April 2026, the apprentice rate is £8.00 per hour, as confirmed by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026. This means that if you are a 15-year-old apprentice, your employer must pay you at least £8.00 for each hour you work. This rate is the same as the 16-17 year old rate, which also rises to £8.00 from April 2026.

What Happens When You Turn 16?

Once you reach 16, you become eligible for the National Minimum Wage. The current rate for 16-17 year olds from April 2026 is £8.00 per hour. This is a significant increase from the previous rate of £7.55. If you continue as an apprentice after turning 16, you may still receive the apprentice rate if you are in your first year. After completing the first year, you would be entitled to the rate for your age group (16-17 or 18-20, etc.).

Take-Home Pay for 15-Year-Old Workers

Even if you are paid a wage as a 15-year-old, your take-home pay will depend on how much you earn. The Income Tax Personal Allowance is £12,570 per year, meaning you can earn up to that amount without paying tax. National Insurance contributions start at £242 per week (for 2026/27). Most 15-year-olds working part-time will earn below these thresholds, so their gross pay will equal their take-home pay. However, if you are an apprentice earning £8.00 per hour and working, say, 15 hours a week, your annual earnings would be around £6,240, well below the tax and NI thresholds. So you would keep all of your earnings.

Regional Differences and Seniority

There are no regional differences in the National Minimum Wage rates – they are the same across the UK. However, Scotland has different Income Tax bands for higher earners, but this is unlikely to affect 15-year-olds. Seniority does not apply to minimum wage rates; they are based on age and apprentice status. For older workers, the NLW for those aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from April 2026, but this does not apply to under 16s.

What Employers Should Know

Employers hiring 15-year-olds should be aware that while there is no legal minimum wage, they must still comply with other employment laws, such as working time regulations and health and safety. Paying a fair wage is good practice and can help attract young talent. For apprentices, the apprentice rate is mandatory.

Using Our Resources

To estimate your take-home pay once you start working, you can use our take-home calculator. For more information on salary trends and the National Minimum Wage, visit our salary articles. You can also explore salary data for different age groups and regions.

Conclusion

In summary, there is no minimum wage for a 15 year old UK worker unless they are an apprentice. The apprentice rate from April 2026 is £8.00 per hour. After turning 16, you become entitled to the NMW. Always check with your employer about your pay rate and ensure you receive at least the legal minimum if you qualify. For personalised calculations, use our After Tax Salary resources.