Employers looking to recruit an apprentice often ask us, ‘How much do you pay an apprentice?’
As a leading apprenticeship provider, we’re passionate about the return on investment that apprenticeships can bring to organisations. In this blog, we’ll break down how much you have to pay an apprentice, including wage requirements, working hours and other entitlements.
Apprenticeship wages
As of April 2026, the apprenticeship minimum wage is £8.00 per hour. This is set by the government, alongside National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates, and it applies to those who are:
- Apprentices aged 16-18 years old
- Apprentices aged 19+ who are in their first year of an apprenticeship.
An apprentice’s minimum wage is less than the national minimum wage, and this is to reflect the investment that you, as an employer, are making in time, development, and training. However, the important thing to note is that it is a minimum – it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s what you should pay. In order to attract and retain the best candidates, you’ll want to offer a competitive salary.
You should consider factors such as:
- Your location as an employer and the ease and cost of transport
- Whether your apprentice will have access to parking
- Previous experience or qualifications you want the person to have
- The level and nature of the role
- What similar organisations are offering for comparable roles.
After completing their first year of an apprenticeship, apprentices aged 19 and over become eligible for the standard national minimum wage based on their age:
- 19-20 year olds: £10.85 (from April 2026)
- 21 years and over: £12.71 (from April 2026)
What do you need to pay your apprentice for?
You know how much you should be paying apprentices, but what activities do their wages need to cover? You must make sure that your apprentice is paid:
- For work hours
- For time spent in college, off-site study and on-site study (as part of the apprenticeship).
What are an apprentice’s working rights?
Apprentices have the same employment rights as other workers in the UK, including:
- At least 20 days of holidays (plus bank holidays)
- Paid time off for training
- A written statement of employment
- Standard working time regulations – find out more about how many hours an apprentice can work
- Sick pay and family leave
- Protection from discrimination and unfair dismissal
- Appropriate health and safety measures.
Your apprentice’s conditions and wages should all be set out in the apprenticeship agreement, which is a legally binding contract between the employer and the apprentice.
What about funding and financial incentives?
SMEs (all non-levy payers) can get 100% funding for apprentices up to age 22 and 95% funding for those aged 22 and over. In August 2026, 100% funding will be available for new apprentices up to the age of 25.
Levy payers fund apprenticeships through their levy pot.
Employers of all sizes can also get a £1000 incentive payment for apprentices aged 16-18 and are exempt from making National Insurance payments for apprentices aged under 25.
The incentive payment and savings on NI can be used for any costs, such as:
- Wages
- Essential equipment
- Travel expenses
- Training materials.
Discover the benefits of apprenticeships with Damar Training
Hopefully, this blog has answered your question: ‘How much do you pay an apprentice?’ Remember, an apprenticeship is an affordable and impactful way for you to build a highly skilled team. It’s important that you are following the legal requirements but are also making the role and your workplace attractive and supportive for candidates and employees.
Here at Damar Training, we’ve been delivering impactful apprenticeships since 1980. And, we’re passionate about the positive impact that apprentices can have on organisations, helping to create skilled teams and long-term value.