What does it cost to employ an apprentice in 2026?
At the £8 apprentice minimum, 37.5 paid hours a week for 52 paid weeks costs £15,600 in gross wages. Your budget must also cover paid training time, supervision, equipment and any other employment or training costs that apply.
Last checked . AI-assisted source review by UK Trade Jobs. How we check facts.
Which hourly minimum applies?
From April 2026, £8 applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over in their first year. After year one, apprentices aged 19 or over receive the minimum for their age: £10.85 for ages 19–20 or £12.71 for ages 21+. Check GOV.UK’s current rates and age rules. A written offer or applicable agreement may require more.
| Hourly rate | Weekly gross | Annual gross |
|---|---|---|
| £8 | £300 | £15,600 |
| £10.85 | £406.88 | £21,157.50 |
| £12.71 | £476.63 | £24,784.50 |
Weekly figures are rounded to the nearest penny; annual examples use the unrounded hourly calculation. These examples keep the same rate and hours all year. Birthdays, completion of year one, annual minimum-wage changes and your contract can change the calculation. They exclude employer on-costs and are not take-home pay.
Before you apply
What would your apprentice pay add up to?
Enter the advert’s hourly rate and your paid weekly hours. Estimates are before tax and other deductions, not take-home pay.
- Weekly
- £300.00
- Monthly average
- £1,300.00
- Yearly
- £15,600.00
Use your agreed paid hours, including paid apprenticeship training. The buttons are examples, not a recommendation about working hours.
Yearly pay assumes the same rate and hours for 52 paid weeks. Monthly is that total divided by 12, not a four-week payslip. Overtime, expenses, bonuses and future pay rises are not included. The calculator does not save or send your entries.
The £8 starting example is the April 2026 apprentice minimum for under-19s, or apprentices aged 19+ in year one. After year one, the minimum for apprentices aged 19+ depends on age. Check the current GOV.UK rates (checked 30 September 2026).
Find a paid apprenticeship →What belongs in the full employer budget?
- Paid working and training hours, holidays and other employment entitlements.
- A supervisor’s time and the productive time needed to teach tasks safely.
- Tools, protective equipment, travel and any agreed course-related expenses.
- Payroll, insurance, pension and employer National Insurance costs where applicable. Eligibility for relief needs checking separately.
- Any training or assessment contribution and costs above the funding limit.
In England, you must pay apprentices for training that forms part of their apprenticeship. Use GOV.UK’s pay and conditions when agreeing hours. Paid training time is part of the working week; do not add it twice to the wage calculation.
Does funding cover the apprentice’s wages?
England’s apprenticeship funding supports eligible training and assessment. It is not a replacement for paying wages. The employer contribution depends on levy status, the apprentice and the applicable funding rules. Ask your provider to confirm eligibility, the funding band and any contribution in writing before you commit.
Check current England funding rules. Do not deduct a grant or hiring payment from your budget until the relevant eligibility and payment conditions are confirmed. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate arrangements, linked from the government’s employer overview.
Ready to write the vacancy?
Agree the wage, paid hours, location, training route and supervisor first. Then use the advertising comparison, including the government apprenticeship service, or compare UK Trade Jobs listing options.