Pay for apprentices
If you’re in your first year of your apprenticeship, you are legally entitled to at least the Apprentice National Minimum Wage pay rate of £6.40 per hour.
If you are aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you are legally entitled to the higher National Living and Minimum Wage rates relevant to your age group.
No employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.
| 21 and over | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice (first year) | |
| Old rate up until 31 March 2025 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| New rate from 1 April 2025 | £12.21 | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
Check your pay using our online calculator
Find out if you are being paid correctly by using the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage calculator.
Check if:
- you’re getting paid the National Minimum Wage
- you’re getting paid the National Living Wage
- your employer owes you past payments from the previous year because of underpayment
Get advice from experts
Acas is an independent public body that provides free and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives.
Call the Acas helpline if you would like confidential advice and support on your pay and rights at work.
Report underpayment to HMRC
If you think you’re being underpaid, you should report it to HMRC.
- Where practical, discuss with your employer
- Read our FAQs on common questions and mistakes when calculating pay
- Complete HMRC’s online form that only takes 5 minutes to complete. You can anonymously report your employer, even if you no longer work for them. Your details will not be shared with your employer.