How much do you have to pay an apprentice
Apprentices receive a minimum hourly wage, which varies depending on the age of the apprentice at the time of employment and the stage of completion of their training. This guide explains the apprenticeship wage, what it covers, and where National Insurance fits in.
Apprenticeship Wage
The apprentice rate of the National Minimum Wage applies to apprentices who are under 19, or who are aged 19 and over and still in the first year of their apprenticeship. From 1 April 2026, this rate is £8.00 per hour. Once an apprentice turns 19 and completes their first year, they move on to the standard minimum wage for their age band. The government reviews these rates every April, so it is worth confirming the latest figures before you set pay.
Apprenticeship Pay Guide
The minimum hourly rates from 1 April 2026 are:
|
Apprentice’s age and stage |
Minimum hourly rate |
|
Under 19 (any year) |
£8.00 |
|
19 or over, in the first year |
£8.00 |
|
19 or 20, after the first year |
£10.85 |
|
21 or over, after the first year |
£12.71 |
So a 20-year-old in the second year of their apprenticeship must be paid at least £10.85, while a 22-year-old in their second year must receive at least £12.71. Many employers choose to pay above these minimums to attract and retain strong candidates.
What are you paying your apprentice for?
Apprenticeships are generally considered one of the best and most cost-effective methods for bringing new talent into your organisation; however, employers understandably want to know what they will be expected to contribute financially.
Your apprentice’s wage will include both work hours that they spend working for you and time spent learning. A fixed amount of their paid time must be devoted to “off-the-job” training, which is paid at the same hourly rate, regardless of whether this takes place at your premises, with a training organisation, or online. The cost of the training itself is funded separately and does not come out of the apprentice’s pay, as set out in the government’s guidance on employing an apprentice.
Do you need to pay national insurance for your apprentice?
Most of the time, no. Employers do not pay Class 1 National Insurance on apprentices under the age of 25, as long as they are on an approved apprenticeship program and earn no more than the Upper Secondary Threshold of £50,270 annually. Hiring a young apprentice will therefore be much less expensive than employing a regular full-time employee. Once the apprentice turns 25 or earns above that threshold, the standard 15 percent employer rate applies.
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FAQs
What Is the apprenticeship wage?
It is the minimum hourly rate set by the government for eligible apprentices, currently £8.00 per hour from 1 April 2026.
Is there a difference between apprentice pay and minimum wage?
Yes. Eligible apprentices can be paid the apprentice minimum wage rate if they are under 19, or aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that, they must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group.
Is there any funding to pay for apprentices?
Training costs can be funded either through the Apprenticeship Levy or government co-investment. However, the cost of paying your apprentice’s wage must come directly from the employer’s budget.
What are the employer responsibilities in hiring an apprentice?
You must pay them at least the minimum amount required (the apprentice rate), provide time for your apprentice to attend paid training away from work and provide your apprentice with the same rights to employment (including holidays and pensions) as you would with your regular employees.
Do apprentices get paid for overtime?
Apprentices are entitled to be paid for additional hours worked, subject to their contract and minimum wage rules.
Do all apprentices get the same pay?
Not necessary. Pay varies by age and year of study, and many employers pay above the minimum wage to stay competitive.
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