NMWM03060 - National Minimum Wage rates: under 18 year old rate

Relevant legislation

The legislation that applies to this page is as follows:

• National Minimum Wage Act 1998, sections 1(2)(c), 55(4) & 55(5)
• National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015, regulation 4A(1)(c)

From 1 October 2004 workers under the age of 18 and over compulsory school age (NMWM03070) became entitled to the National Minimum Wage. They are entitled to the under 18 rate unless they fall into one of the groups who do not qualify for the National Minimum Wage (NMWM05000).

Because of the way the school year runs, some workers over compulsory school age may be entitled to the under 18 rate whilst they are still 15. Workers below school leaving age are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.

The under 18 rate should be paid to qualifying young workers regardless of whether or not they are still at school. The crucial factors are that they are workers and that they are over compulsory school age.

Some groups of workers in this age range qualify at a different rate (such as apprentices aged under 19) (NMWM03065).

The under 18 rate has also been known as the young workers’ rate and 16-17 year old rate.

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)