Students: Tax, NICs the National Minimum Wage

You can get the National Minimum Wage if you are 16 or over and resident in the UK. It’s the least that your employer can pay you.

Rates payable

If you are 22 or over the rate is £5.52 an hour
If you are 18-21years old the rate is £4.60 an hour

For 16 and 17 years old the rate is £3.40 an hour but you have to be over the compulsory school age and not involved in any apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship schemes.

For further information you can go to the National Minimum Wage Website or call the Helpline on 0845 600 0678. The lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

You should call the Helpline if your employer is not paying you the National Minimum Wage. All calls to the Helpline will be treated as confidential. You do not even have to give your name.