How Much Do Apprentices Get Paid In The UK 2024

Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of vocational education in the UK, offering individuals valuable opportunities to learn practical skills while earning a wage.

However, there can be confusion surrounding apprentice pay rates and how they compare to other forms of employment.

We're here to help explain how much you can expect to earn if you've applied for an apprenticeship in the UK.

How much are apprentices paid in the UK?

The pay for apprenticeships can vary depending on factors such as age, experience and the industry you're entering. The UK government has set out guidelines for minimum apprentice pay rates, and employers must adhere to these rates.

However, recent data from HMRC reveals that one in four national minimum wage underpayments involve apprentices, so it's crucial that you understand the wage you should be receiving.

The more knowledge you have, the more confident you can be that you are being paid correctly!

As of February 2024, the apprentice rate is £5.28 per hour. In April 2024, this will increase to £6.40 per hour.

However, not all apprentices should be receiving the apprentice rate and it's important to note that this is simply the minimum you should be being paid.

Your pay will likely vary depending on the type of apprenticeship you're doing - for example, some Level 7 apprentices can be paid as much as £30,000 per annum from the first year of their apprenticeship!

Should I be paid the apprentice rate or the National Minimum Wage?

Apprentices aged under 19 or who are over 19 but in the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to the apprentice rate - which is currently £5.28 per hour as mentioned above.

However, apprentices aged 19 and over who have completed the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

What is the National Minimum Wage?

The table below outlines the current National Minimum Wage for those aged 18 to 23 and over as of February 2024:

So, to give an example, an apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship in February 2024 will earn a minimum of £10.18 per hour.

However, if you're aged 22 and in the first year of your apprenticeship, you can legally earn as little as £5.28 - the same as an apprentice aged under 19.

What are the new National Minimum Wage rates from April 2024?

The minimum wage rates are reviewed annually and are subject to change. In April 2024, there will be changes to the National Minimum Wage, the National Living Wage and the apprentice minimum wage.

Here are the new National Minimum Wage rates from April 2024, based on different age ranges:

Another change to come into effect from 1st April 2024 is that workers aged 21 and over will be entitled to the National Living Wage, which will increase to £11.44 per hour. Currently, only those aged 23 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage.

How much is the apprenticeship wage from April 2024?

Crucially, the apprentice minimum wage will be increasing too - and quite significantly!

From April 2024, apprentices will receive a 21% pay rise to £6.40. However this still leaves a big gap between the apprentice minimum wage and the National Living Wage of £11.44 and National Minimum Wage rates for 18 to 20-year-olds, which will be £8.60.

Does the apprenticeship wage change for those living in London?

As you may know, the London Living Wage differs from the rest of the UK due to the higher cost of living.

Unfortunately, employers are not required to pay apprentices the Living Wage - which is currently £13.15 in London.

That being said, many accredited employers choose to extend the London Living Wage to apprentices, so you might find that you'll get the Living Wage regardless.

How can apprentices save money?

Whether you've already started your apprenticeship or you're about to apply for one, you may be wondering if there's any way you can be supported with day to day costs. As we've established, apprentices can often earn less than other workers due to the fact they're still classed as being 'in training'.

This can be incredibly tough for those who are relying on their apprenticeship income to help with living costs and other essentials.

At TOTUM, we want to help apprentices as much as we can to keep costs as low possible.

With TOTUM Apprentice and TOTUM Cashback, you can make huge savings or earn cash back on everything from tech purchases and new clothes to groceries.

TOTUM Apprentice is the only discount card for apprentices in the UK and gives you access to discounts from hundreds of brands that are typically only available to students.

This can help you to save money on both essentials and nice-to-haves!

TOTUM members save on average £85 per month on monthly bills and essentials, so it's well worth getting your hands on a TOTUM card.

Our new cashback scheme equally helps you to get money back when you shop at hundreds of retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury's, M&S, Primark, Argos, Waterstones and more - so you can imagine how quickly these savings add up!