What is the minimum wage for a 16 year old? Rates and take-home pay explained

What is the minimum wage for a 16 year old?

If you are 16 and looking for work, the first question you might ask is: what is the minimum wage for a 16 year old? The answer depends on the legal minimum set by the government, but also on the type of job, your hours, and how your pay is advertised. This guide explains the statutory rate, what it means for your take-home pay, and how it compares to advertised salaries.

The statutory hourly rate

From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for workers under 18 is £8.00 per hour. This rate applies to all 16 and 17 year olds who are not apprentices. If you are an apprentice, you may be entitled to the apprentice rate of £8.00 per hour if you are under 19 or in the first year of your apprenticeship. Once you turn 18, the rate rises to £10.85 per hour, and at 21 you become eligible for the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour.

These rates are set by law and apply to the first pay reference period beginning on or after 1 April each year. You can check the current rates on the UK Minimum Wage homepage or in our pay guides for different age groups.

Advertised salaries vs hourly rates

When you see a job advert for a 16 year old, the pay may be shown as an annual salary or an hourly rate. If it is an annual figure, it is usually based on a full-time working week (often 35–40 hours). For a part-time role, your actual pay will be pro-rated. For example, an advertised salary of £16,000 per year for a full-time role would equate to roughly £8.00 per hour if you work 38 hours a week. However, many employers advertise the hourly rate directly, especially for entry-level positions in retail, hospitality, or apprenticeships.

Always check whether the advertised rate meets the statutory minimum. Some employers offer more than the minimum, particularly in sectors with high demand for young workers. If the advertised rate is below £8.00 per hour for a 16 year old, it may be illegal unless you are in a genuine apprenticeship with the apprentice rate.

Take-home pay: what you actually receive

Your take-home pay is the amount that lands in your bank account after deductions. For most 16 year olds working part-time, earnings are likely to be below the threshold for income tax and National Insurance. This means your take-home pay could be very close to your gross pay. However, if you work more hours and earn above the personal allowance, you will start paying tax. The personal allowance is frozen, so the exact threshold depends on the tax year.

National Insurance contributions start once you earn above a certain weekly amount. For young workers on low hours, this is unlikely to apply. But if you have a second job or other income, your tax code may change.

It is also important to note that if your employer provides accommodation, they can offset up to £11.10 per day (or £77.70 per week) from your wages. This is known as the accommodation offset and is deducted from your pay before calculating whether you have received the minimum wage.

How the rate compares to other age groups

The minimum wage increases significantly as you get older. A 16 year old on £8.00 per hour earns 63% of the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over (£12.71). The 18-20 rate of £10.85 is 85% of the NLW, reflecting the government’s aim to gradually reduce the gap between youth rates and the adult rate. The Low Pay Commission recommends these rates each year based on economic conditions, median earnings, and the cost of living. For 2026, the under-18 rate increased by 6% from £7.55 to £8.00, which the government says gives workers a real-terms pay rise above expected inflation. You can read more about the policy in our topics section.

Practical tips for 16 year old job seekers

• Always confirm your hourly rate in writing before starting a job.
• If you are an apprentice, check whether you are on the apprentice rate or the age-based rate.
• Use the government’s minimum wage calculator to check if you are being paid correctly.
• Remember that overtime should be paid at the same hourly rate as normal hours, unless your contract says otherwise.
• If you think you are being underpaid, contact Acas for advice.

Understanding what is the minimum wage for a 16 year old is the first step to ensuring you are paid fairly. The statutory rate of £8.00 per hour is a baseline, but many employers offer more. Always compare advertised salaries to the hourly rate and consider your take-home pay after any deductions.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Does the minimum wage for a 16 year old apply to all jobs? A: Yes, almost all workers aged 16 and over are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. There are some exceptions, such as genuine volunteers or self-employed people. If you are an apprentice, the apprentice rate may apply.

Q: Can an employer pay less than £8.00 per hour for a 16 year old? A: No, unless you are in the first year of an apprenticeship and under 19, in which case the apprentice rate of £8.00 applies. Paying below the legal minimum is illegal and you can report it to HMRC or Acas.

Q: How much will I take home if I work 10 hours a week at £8.00 per hour? A: Your gross pay would be £80 per week. If you have no other income, you are unlikely to pay income tax or National Insurance, so your take-home pay would be close to £80. However, check your tax code and any other deductions such as pension contributions if you are enrolled automatically.