Information for apprentices
Apprentice wages
What you might earn as an apprentice depends on:
- Job sector
- Location
- Level of apprenticeship
Apprenticeship minimum wage
There is an apprenticeship minimum wage - currently £8 per hour - but many employers pay more.
Minimum wage entitlements for apprentices depend on:
- Whether you started as an apprentice or an existing employee.
- Your age.
- How much of the apprenticeship you have completed.
New apprenticeship recruits
If you start an apprenticeship with a new employer your wages will depend on your age.
For 16-18 year olds
- As a minimum, you are entitled to the apprenticeship minimum wage - currently £8 per hour.
- If you turn 19 during your apprenticeship and have completed your first year (of an apprenticeship lasting more than one year), you become entitled to the to the national minimum wage for your age group.
For 19 year olds and over
- As a minimum, you are entitled to the apprenticeship minimum wage - currently £8 - for the first year of your apprenticeship.
- If your apprenticeship lasts more than one year, after the first year you are entitled to the national minimum wage for your age group.
Wage entitlements for existing staff
If you start an apprenticeship with your existing employer, you are entitled to stay on the same wage for the duration of your apprenticeship, regardless of your age.
Training fees and funding
Apprenticeship training is funded from contributions made by the government and, in some instances, your employer. This means you will not pay for any of your training and won't need to take out any student loans. You'll just need to cover the cost of your day-to-day expenses, such as lunch and travel, and may also need to buy specialist equipment depending on the job.
Benefits
Depending on your circumstances, you may still be eligible to claim Universal Credit whilst you are completing an apprenticeship to help with your living costs. Visit the Benefits calculators - GOV.UK website to find out how to check your eligibility.
Financial support
If you are in need of financial support to secure or complete an apprenticeship, there are organisations that might be able to support you, depending on your circumstances. For more information on what is available, visit Support for apprentices.
