The National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over from April 2026. Working 37.5 hours a week, that is £24,785 a year before tax, and about £1,780 a month after Income Tax and National Insurance.
Take-home pay on the National Living Wage
| Hours per week | Yearly pay | Take-home per year | Take-home per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 h | £19,828 | £17,795 | £1,483 |
| 35 h | £23,132 | £20,175 | £1,681 |
| 37.5 h | £24,785 | £21,364 | £1,780 |
| 40 h | £26,437 | £22,554 | £1,880 |
England, Wales and Northern Ireland, no pension or student loan.
What is deducted
At 37.5 hours a week, Income Tax is £2,443 and National Insurance £977 a year. Most workers are also auto-enrolled in a workplace pension once they earn over £10,000 a year, which reduces take-home pay a little further.
Who gets which rate
- The National Living Wage applies from age 21.
- Younger workers and apprentices have lower National Minimum Wage rates.
- The Real Living Wage, a voluntary rate paid by accredited employers, is higher, especially in London.
Boosting your income
- Check whether you qualify for Universal Credit, which can top up low earnings.
- Make sure your tax code is correct: an emergency code can take too much tax.
Minimum wage rates by age
The National Living Wage applies to workers aged 21 and over. Lower National Minimum Wage rates apply to 18 to 20 year olds, under-18s and apprentices in the first year of their apprenticeship. Employers must pay at least the rate for your age for every hour worked, including training and some travel time.
Part-time workers
If you earn less than £12,570 a year, you pay no Income Tax, and below about £242 a week you pay no National Insurance. Many part-time workers on the National Living Wage therefore keep all or almost all of their pay.
Checking you are paid correctly
- Divide your gross pay by the hours you worked in the pay period.
- Deductions for uniforms or equipment cannot take your pay below the minimum wage.
- If you are underpaid, contact your employer first, then ACAS for free advice.
Universal Credit and low earnings
Universal Credit can top up low wages, especially for families and renters. The amount falls gradually as you earn more, so working extra hours still leaves you better off.
Convert any hourly rate with the £13 an hour annual salary page and the UK take-home pay calculator.
A worked payslip example on the National Living Wage
Here is how a full-time monthly payslip at £12.71 an hour and 37.5 hours a week breaks down, using the figures above.
| Payslip line | Per month |
|---|---|
| Gross pay (£24,785 ÷ 12) | £2,065 |
| Income Tax (£2,443 ÷ 12) | £204 |
| National Insurance (£977 ÷ 12) | £81 |
| Take-home pay | £1,780 |
If you are paid weekly, your gross pay is about £477 a week (£12.71 × 37.5). A workplace pension contribution will lower the take-home figure a little, but your employer adds its own contribution on top.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting the April rise. Rates change each April, and your employer must apply the new hourly rate from the first full pay period after it takes effect.
- Not counting unpaid time. Compulsory training, time spent waiting for work and some travel between jobs count as working time.
- Averaging over the wrong period. Minimum pay is checked for each pay reference period, so overtime in one month does not make up for underpayment in another.
- Staying on an emergency tax code. Ask HMRC to correct it so any overpaid tax is refunded.
Where to check the official rates
The current hourly rates for every age group and for apprentices are published on gov.uk. If you think you are being underpaid and your employer will not fix it, you can complain to HMRC, which enforces minimum pay, or get free, confidential advice from ACAS.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Living Wage in 2026?
£12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, from April 2026.
How much is the National Living Wage per year?
About £24,785 before tax for 37.5 hours a week.
Do you pay tax on the National Living Wage?
Yes, full-time workers earn above the £12,570 Personal Allowance, so some Income Tax and National Insurance applies.
Estimates for information only, not tax advice.
