Apprentice Salary Calculator UK
Alex Doe
The UK's apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic way to earn while you learn, but understanding your pay can be confusing. Your wage depends on your age and how far into your apprenticeship you are, and just like any other employee, you'll have deductions for tax and National Insurance. This guide and interactive tool will help you instantly see what your actual take-home pay will be.
Apprentice Salary Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay based on the 2025/26 apprentice wage rates.
Annual Take-Home Pay
£11,856
| Monthly | £988.00 |
| Weekly | £228.00 |
Gross Annual Pay:
£12,480.00
Income Tax:
£0.00
National Insurance:
£0.00
Your Pension:
£624.00
Effective Tax Rate:
0.00%
How Does the Apprentice Salary Calculator Work?
Our tool simplifies the apprentice pay calculation process. Here’s how it works:
- Determines Your Gross Pay: It takes your hourly wage and the hours you work to calculate your total earnings before any deductions.
- Applies Tax & NI Rules: It checks if your earnings are above the thresholds for paying Income Tax and National Insurance.
- Calculates Deductions: If you earn enough, the tool calculates the exact amount of tax and NI you'll pay based on the 2025/26 rates.
- Handles Other Deductions: Any pension contributions or student loan repayments you enter are also factored in.
- Shows Your Net Pay: The final result is your take-home pay, shown as a weekly, monthly, and annual figure.
UK Apprentice Wage Rates (Updated for 2025/26)
The amount an apprentice gets paid is determined by the National Minimum Wage regulations. There's a specific rate for apprentices, but it only applies under certain conditions.
| Category | Minimum Hourly Rate (2025/26) |
|---|---|
| Apprentice Rate (Under 19, or 19+ in first year) | £6.40 |
| Age 18-20 (after first year) | £8.60 |
| Age 21+ (after first year) | £11.44 (National Living Wage) |
Crucially, if you are 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you are legally entitled to the National Minimum Wage (or National Living Wage if you're 21+) for your age group.
Do Apprentices Pay Tax and National Insurance?
Yes, apprentices are treated the same as other employees when it comes to tax and National Insurance (NI). You are not exempt.
- Income Tax: You will only start paying income tax if your annual earnings go above the Personal Allowance, which is £12,570 for the 2025/26 tax year.
- National Insurance: You will start paying NI if you earn more than the Primary Threshold, which is £242 per week. Our NI calculator has more details.
Because the apprentice minimum wage is quite low, many apprentices in their first year may not earn enough to pay tax, but may have small NI deductions.