Minimum Wage for 15 Year Old: What You Need to Know in 2026/27

Minimum Wage for 15 Year Old: What You Need to Know in 2026/27

When searching for the minimum wage for 15 year old workers in the UK, the first thing to understand is that there is no statutory minimum wage for someone under 16. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) only apply from the age of 16. This article explains the current rates for older teenagers, what a 15 year old might actually earn, and how take-home pay works for young workers.

The Legal Framework: Who Gets the Minimum Wage?

The National Minimum Wage is set by the government and applies to all workers aged 16 and over. The rate depends on age:

• 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 per hour from April 2026
• 18 to 20: £10.85 per hour
• 16 to 17: £8.00 per hour
• Apprentices (under 19 or in first year): £8.00 per hour

A 15 year old is still in compulsory education (which ends at 16) and is therefore not covered by these rates. Employers can pay less than the NMW, but must comply with other employment laws such as the Working Time Regulations. If a 15 year old works as an apprentice, the apprentice rate applies only if they are 16 or over; otherwise, there is no statutory minimum.

What Could a 15 Year Old Earn?

Without a legal floor, pay for 15 year olds varies widely. Common part-time jobs like paper rounds, shop work, or helping in a café might pay between £5.00 and £8.00 per hour. For example, at £6.00 per hour for 10 hours a week, the annual gross pay would be about £3,120. Because this is well below the personal allowance of £12,570, no income tax is deducted. National Insurance also starts only above £12,570 per year, so take-home pay equals gross pay. A 15 year old working 15 hours a week at £7.00 would earn about £5,460 per year, still tax- and NI-free.

Take-Home Pay for 16-17 Year Olds (for Context)

Although not directly about 15 year olds, the rates for 16-17 year olds provide a useful benchmark. At £8.00 per hour and 37.5 hours per week, the annual gross is £15,600. Using the 2026/27 tax code 1257L:

• Income tax: 20% on earnings above £12,570 = £606
• National Insurance: 8% on earnings above £12,570 = £242.40
• Take-home pay: £15,600 - £606 - £242.40 = £14,751.60 per year, or about £1,229 per month

If the worker contributes 5% to a workplace pension, the take-home would be lower. Student loan repayments are unlikely at this income level (Plan 5 starts at £25,000).

Regional Differences: Scotland

Scotland sets its own income tax bands. For a low earner, the difference is small. At £15,600 gross, a Scottish worker would pay slightly less income tax because of the 19% starter rate on the first £3,967 of taxable income. Take-home would be about £1,232 per month, compared to £1,229 in England. National Insurance is the same across the UK.

Pension and Student Loan Considerations

Most 15 year olds will not have a workplace pension or student loan, but it's worth noting:

• Pension: Auto-enrolment applies from age 22, so under-22s are not automatically enrolled. However, they can opt in.
• Student loan: Repayments only start when earnings exceed the threshold (e.g., £25,000 for Plan 5). A 15 year old working part-time is very unlikely to reach that.

Key Takeaways

• There is no minimum wage for 15 year old workers in the UK.
• The National Minimum Wage starts at 16, with rates of £8.00 for 16-17 year olds and apprentices.
• A 15 year old working part-time will likely earn below the tax and NI thresholds, so take-home pay equals gross pay.
• For older teenagers, the take-home pay at £8.00 per hour is about £1,229 per month (37.5 hours).

For more detailed calculations, use our take-home calculator or browse salary articles for the latest rates.

Sources

• GOV.UK National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
• ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for median pay context
• After Tax Salary estimates based on 2026/27 tax and NI rules

Disclaimer: Figures are estimates for a single person with the standard Personal Allowance, no pension contributions and no student loan. Actual take-home pay varies by tax code, pension, Scottish rates, benefits in kind and other deductions. Always check your payslip and official GOV.UK guidance.