Apprenticeship Wage Calculator

Who Gets The Apprentice Rate?

GOV.UK says apprentices are entitled to the apprentice minimum wage rate if they are aged under 19, or if they are aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. From April 2026, that apprentice rate is GBP 8.00 per hour. Once an apprentice is aged 19 or over and has completed the first year of the apprenticeship, the minimum hourly rate moves to the normal rate for their age band.

This is where many mistakes happen. A 21-year-old in the first year of an apprenticeship can be paid the apprentice rate. A 21-year-old who has completed the first year must be paid the National Living Wage rate for 21 and over. The calculator uses the age and first-year status fields to choose the correct rate, then compares that rate with the pay and hours entered.

Training Time Must Be Paid

Apprentices are employees and must be paid for time spent working and for time spent training or studying for the apprenticeship. The training or study time can be with a college, university, training provider, online session or workplace trainer, but it still counts as paid time where it is part of the apprenticeship. This page therefore adds work hours and training hours before checking the weekly minimum.

If training happens outside normal working hours, GOV.UK employer guidance says the apprentice must be paid for it or given time off in lieu. The calculator cannot check a whole rota, but it can show why leaving training time out of weekly pay can create an underpayment risk.

Current UK Minimum Wage Rates

Worked Example: Age 20 In The Second Year

An apprentice aged 20 has completed the first year of the apprenticeship. From April 2026, the age-band rate for 18 to 20 is GBP 10.85 per hour. If the apprentice works 30 hours and has 7.5 paid training hours, the weekly paid hours are 37.5. The minimum weekly gross pay is 37.5 x GBP 10.85, which is GBP 406.88.

If the employer is still paying GBP 8.00 per hour for all 37.5 hours, weekly pay is GBP 300. The shortfall is GBP 106.88 for that week. The result does not prove a legal claim by itself, but it gives a clear set of numbers to check against the contract, payslip and official minimum wage calculator.

Checks Before Raising A Pay Concern

• Confirm the apprentice’s age and whether the first apprenticeship year has been completed.
• Add all paid work, training and study time for the pay reference period.
• Check whether the payslip is hourly, weekly salary, monthly salary or another pay pattern.
• Look for deductions for uniform, tools, travel or accommodation that could affect minimum wage pay.
• Keep payslips, rota records, training records and messages about study time.

When To Use An Official Check

Use the official GOV.UK minimum wage calculator or contact Acas if the result suggests a shortfall, if hours vary each week, if deductions are made, if accommodation is provided, if there are unpaid trial shifts, if training time is outside normal hours, or if the employer disagrees about first-year status. This page is a planning and explanation tool, not a substitute for payroll or legal review.