Minimum wage in the UK, 2026/27
The minimum wage in the UK is £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026. Full time, that leaves about £1,780 a month after tax.
Minimum wage before and after tax
| Hours | Gross a month | Gross a year | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 hours a week | £1,928 | £23,132 | £1,681 |
| 37.5 hours a week | £2,065 | £24,785 | £1,780 |
| 40 hours a week | £2,203 | £26,437 | £1,880 |
Single worker, 2026/27 tax rules. Calculate any salary.
How much of it you keep
On the full-time minimum wage, about £3,420 a year (13.8%) goes to income tax and social security, so each hour worked leaves about £10.96 after tax.
Earning more than the minimum wage
| Pay | Gross a year | Take-home a year | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | £24,785 | £21,364 | £1,780 |
| 1.25× the minimum wage | £30,981 | £25,826 | £2,152 |
| 1.5× the minimum wage | £37,177 | £30,287 | £2,524 |
| 2× the minimum wage | £49,569 | £39,209 | £3,267 |
| 3× the minimum wage | £74,354 | £53,682 | £4,474 |
Full time, 37.5 hours a week, single, 2026/27 rules. As pay rises, a larger share goes in tax: at twice the minimum wage you keep 79.1% of gross pay, against 86.2% at the minimum wage.
The minimum wage and average pay
A full-time minimum wage is about 63% of the median salary in the UK, which was £39,039 in 2025. After tax, the median salary leaves about £2,636 a month. Average salary after tax.
What changes next
The April 2027 rate has not been announced yet; it usually comes with the Budget in the autumn.
This is the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over. Workers aged 18 to 20 get £10.85 an hour, and 16 to 17 year olds and apprentices £8.00.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026/27?
£12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026. Full time that is £2,065 a month for 37.5 hours a week.
How much is the minimum wage after tax in the UK?
About £1,780 a month (£21,364 a year) for a single full-time worker on 37.5 hours a week, using the 2026/27 tax rules.
How much tax do you pay on the minimum wage in the UK?
On the full-time minimum wage about £3,420 a year goes to income tax and social security, 13.8% of gross pay, using the 2026/27 rules for a single worker.
Will the minimum wage go up in 2027?
The April 2027 rate has not been announced yet; it usually comes with the Budget in the autumn.
Sources: GOV.UK: National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour. Average pay: average salary in the UK.