Minimum wage for a 24 year old: what you need to know in 2026

What is the minimum wage for a 24 year old?

If you are 24 years old and working in the UK, the statutory minimum you are entitled to is the National Living Wage (NLW). From April 2026, the NLW rate is £12.71 per hour for all workers aged 21 and over. This means that as a 24 year old, you fall into the highest minimum wage age band and should receive at least this amount for every hour you work, unless you are an apprentice in your first year (in which case the apprentice rate of £8.00 per hour applies temporarily).

GOV.UK guidance confirms that the NLW increased by 4.1% from the previous rate of £12.21. The Low Pay Commission recommended this uplift to keep the minimum wage ahead of the cost of living and to provide a real-terms increase for low-paid workers. The 18-20 Year Old Rate rose to £10.85 per hour (an 8.5% increase), and the under-18 and apprentice rates both rose to £8.00 per hour. For a full breakdown of all age bands, visit our UK Minimum Wage page.

How statutory rates compare to advertised salaries

While the statutory minimum for a 24 year old is £12.71 per hour, many employers advertise salaries above this level, especially in sectors facing labour shortages or where skills are in demand. For example, entry-level roles in retail, hospitality, and warehousing often start at £11.50 to £13.00 per hour, while administrative and customer service positions may offer between £22,000 and £26,000 per year (roughly £11.50 to £13.50 per hour for a 37.5-hour week).

It is important to remember that advertised salaries are not the same as take-home pay. Your actual earnings will depend on your contracted hours, any overtime, shift premiums, and deductions for tax and National Insurance. The ONS Average Weekly Earnings data shows that mean gross weekly pay for all employees in the UK was £745 per week in 2025, but this figure includes higher earners and is not a guarantee for any individual role.

For more detailed pay data by occupation and region, see our pay data section.

Take-home pay considerations

Your take-home pay as a 24 year old on the National Living Wage will be affected by several factors beyond the hourly rate. Tax and National Insurance thresholds are currently frozen, which means that as your gross pay rises, you may move into a higher effective tax rate. For a full-time worker (say 35 hours per week) on the NLW, the weekly gross pay would be around £444.85. After income tax and National Insurance, the take-home amount might be roughly £380 to £390, depending on your tax code and any pension contributions.

If you receive Universal Credit, the situation is different. The Government increased the standard allowance of Universal Credit by 6.2% in April 2026, which is higher than the NLW increase. This means that NLW workers who claim Universal Credit may see a larger percentage increase in their total household income than those who do not. The Low Pay Commission’s report notes that a single person working full-time on the NLW would receive a 3.3% increase in weekly take-home pay (about £11.90), while a couple with children where one adult works could see a 4.2% increase.

Always check your payslip and contract to ensure you are being paid correctly. If you suspect you are being paid below the minimum wage, you can report it to HMRC or seek advice from Acas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage for a 24 year old in 2026?

The National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour applies to all workers aged 21 and over, including 24 year olds. This is the statutory minimum from April 2026.

Does a 24 year old qualify for the National Living Wage?

Yes, the National Living Wage is for workers aged 21 and over. A 24 year old is not eligible for the lower 18-20 rate or the apprentice rate.

How does the minimum wage affect take-home pay for a 24 year old?

Take-home pay depends on hours worked, tax, National Insurance, and any Universal Credit. A full-time worker on the NLW might see a weekly increase of around £11.90 after deductions, but this varies by household circumstances.