How much can apprentices earn in the UK?
Apprenticeships are available for people of all ages from all walks of life, whether you’re coming straight from college or looking to progress further through your chosen career path, an apprenticeship is a great way to earn money while you’re learning! But how much do apprentices actually get paid?
How much can an apprentice earn? As an apprentice, you are entitled to the national minimum wage for an apprentice. This varies on your age and the type of apprenticeship that you’re doing. The national minimum age for an apprentice is £4.81 per hour however many employers and companies have chosen to pay their apprentices the national living wage (or in some cases, more than this) as a starting rate to ensure they’re getting the best quality of applicants for the job.
Once you’ve completed the first year, if you were on the national apprenticeship wage of £4.81 per hour, you’ll be entitled to the national living wage.
Many apprentices can get discounts on things such as council tax. To be an apprentice who qualifies for a council tax discount you must not be paid more than £195 per week and be trained towards a recognised accredited qualification.
Example
An apprentice aged 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £4.81. Once they have completed their first year, they are entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £6.45.An apprentice aged 22 in their first year as an apprentice is £4.81. Once they complete their first year they are entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £8.20
£4.81 may not seem like a large salary, however when you become an apprentice your company is paying for your training costs, licensing, and examination fees as well as any travel and accommodation costs that may occur.
Have a look at the chart below to see what your hourly rate of pay would be as an apprentice:
Age | Minimum hourly wage |
16-18 | £4.81 |
19+ in year 1 of your apprenticeship | £4.81 |
19+ in year 2+ of your apprenticeship | £6.83 |
21+ in year 2+ of your apprenticeship | £9.18 |
25+ in year 2+ of your apprenticeship | £9.50 |
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