What's the Minimum Wage UK in 2026? Rates, Take-Home Pay and Regional Differences

What's the Minimum Wage UK? The 2026/27 Rates

If you've been asking "whats the minimum wage uk" for the coming year, the answer is clear: from April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over rises to £12.71 per hour, an increase of 4.1% from the previous £12.21. This follows recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, as confirmed by GOV.UK National Living Wage rates.

For younger workers, the rates also increase significantly:

• Aged 18 to 20: £10.85 per hour (up 8.5%)
• Under 18 (above compulsory school leaving age): £8.00 per hour (up 6.0%)
• Apprentices (under 19 or in first year): £8.00 per hour (up 6.0%)

The accommodation offset, which applies when an employer provides housing, rises to £11.10 per day.

What Does This Mean for Take-Home Pay?

Understanding gross salary is only half the picture. To work out your net pay, you need to account for Income Tax, National Insurance, and any other deductions. For a full-time employee aged 21+ working 37.5 hours per week on the National Living Wage, the gross annual salary is approximately £24,785.

Using the standard tax and NI rates for 2026/27 (England and Northern Ireland):

• Income Tax: Personal Allowance of £12,570 is tax-free. The remaining £12,215 is taxed at 20%, giving a tax bill of about £2,443.
• Employee National Insurance: You pay 8% on earnings between the primary threshold (£12,570) and the upper earnings limit (£50,270). On £24,785, that's about £977.
• Net annual pay: approximately £21,365, or around £1,780 per month.

These figures are estimates for a single person with no pension contributions or student loan. Your actual take-home pay may differ – use our take-home calculator for a personalised estimate.

Regional Differences in Earnings

While the National Living Wage is a national floor, actual earnings vary significantly by region. The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025 shows median full-time weekly earnings of £766.60 across the UK, with London typically highest and Northern Ireland seeing the fastest growth (7.4% increase from the previous year).

For workers on the minimum wage, regional differences in cost of living and local labour markets mean that a £12.71 hourly rate goes further in some areas than others. Our salary data page breaks down median earnings by region and occupation.

Seniority and Pay Scales

The National Living Wage applies to all workers aged 21 and over regardless of seniority, but many sectors have structured pay scales that start above the minimum. For example, NHS Agenda for Change bands, teacher pay scales, and many public sector roles offer higher starting salaries. The Low Pay Commission sets the minimum wage based on economic conditions, but employers are free to pay more.

If you're in a senior role or have specialist skills, your pay is likely to be well above the minimum. The ONS ASHE data shows that median hourly earnings for full-time employees were £19.67 in April 2025 – significantly above the National Living Wage.

Scotland's Different Tax Bands

If you live in Scotland, your take-home pay on the same gross salary may be slightly different because Scotland uses its own Income Tax bands. For 2026/27, the Scottish rates are:

• Starter rate: 19% on earnings from £12,571 to £16,538
• Basic rate: 20% on earnings from £16,539 to £27,438
• Intermediate rate: 21% on earnings from £27,439 to £43,662
• Higher rate: 42% on earnings from £43,663 to £75,000
• Advanced rate: 45% on earnings from £75,001 to £125,140
• Top rate: 48% on earnings above £125,140

For a worker on the National Living Wage (gross £24,785), the Scottish tax calculation would result in a slightly different net figure compared to England. Use our calculator to compare.

Other Deductions to Consider

• Student loan repayments: If you have a Plan 1, 2, 4, or 5 student loan, you'll repay 9% of earnings above the relevant threshold (e.g., £26,900 for Plan 1, £25,000 for Plan 5). Postgraduate loans are repaid at 6% above £21,000.
• Pension contributions: If you're enrolled in a workplace pension, your take-home pay will be lower, but you'll benefit from employer contributions and tax relief.
• Benefits in kind: Company cars, private medical insurance, and other perks may affect your tax code.

Summary

The answer to "whats the minimum wage uk" for 2026 is £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. While this provides a baseline, your actual take-home pay depends on where you live, your tax code, and any additional deductions. For a more detailed look at how different salaries translate into net pay, explore our salary articles and use the take-home calculator.

Always refer to official GOV.UK guidance for the most up-to-date rates and thresholds.