National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage - rates and overview

The National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage in the UK apply to workers in Northern Ireland. These minimum wage rates are the hourly rates that workers should be paid by their employers depending on their age or whether they are an apprentice.

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates change every April. The current minimum wage rates are in effect from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Minimum wage rates

The minimum wage rates for 2024-25 are:

Apprentice rate

Apprentices under the age of 19 years old or aged 19 years old or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £6.40 per hour (this rate does not apply to Higher Level Apprenticeships).

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they are aged 19 years or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship. For example, an apprentice who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £11.44.

Previous minimum wage rates

For past minimum wage rates see National Minimum Wage: previous rates.

Who is entitled to be paid the minimum wage rate?

As an employer, you have a legal obligation to pay your workers the correct minimum wage rate at the very least. Ensure you understand who should be paid the minimum wage. Some people like the self-employed are not entitled to the minimum wage. For more guidance see self-employed and the minimum wage and National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage - who is not entitled to it.

Employer requirements for the minimum wage

If a worker is entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, you must pay them at least the rate they are entitled to for the hours of work that qualify. You cannot make an agreement with a worker to pay them less than the minimum wage rate.

Which minimum wage rate applies to a worker?

You need to know which minimum wage rate applies to a worker - based on their entitlement at the start of each pay reference period. The minimum wage rate that applies to a worker is the rate they are entitled to on the first day of the pay reference period. For more information about pay reference periods see National Minimum Wage and Living Wage pay reference period.

Minimum wage rate example

For example, at 20 years old, a worker is entitled to the 18 to 20 years old minimum wage rate of £8.60 per hour. From the first pay reference period starting on or after their 21st birthday, they become entitled to the National Living Wage of £11.44 per hour as this applies to workers aged 21 years old and over. If you pay them for a pay reference period ending on a Friday and their birthday is on the following Wednesday - they will be entitled to the National Living Wage rate from the Saturday after their birthday.

As the minimum wage rates are age-related, you may need to ask workers to provide proof of their age.

Minimum wage rates for agricultural workers

Minimum wage rates for agricultural workers in Northern Ireland are different from the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. These minimum wage rates for agricultural workers are set by the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for Northern Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) provides further information on the agricultural rates of pay, orders and reports.

The minimum wage rates for agricultural workers in 2024-25 that took effect from 1 April 2024 are:

If, at any time, the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage becomes higher than the hourly rate set out above, then the minimum rate will default to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, to whichever level of rate applies.