What is the National Living Wage for 2025/26?
The National Living Wage (NLW) for 2025/26 is £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. For a full-time worker doing 37.5 hours per week, this is equivalent to £457.88 per week, £1,984 per month, or £23,809.5 per year (before tax).
All minimum wage rates (April 2025)
| Age group | Hourly rate | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.21 | £23,809.5 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.00 | £19,500 |
| Under 18 | £7.55 | £14,722.5 |
| Apprentice | £7.55 | £14,722.5 |
Take-home pay on the National Living Wage
On a £23,809.5 salary (NLW full-time equivalent), most of your income falls within the £12,570 Personal Allowance and is therefore tax-free. You will pay a small amount of income tax (20% on the portion above £12,570) and National Insurance (8% above £12,570). Use our salary calculator for £24,000 to see the exact take-home pay.
NLW vs Real Living Wage
The National Living Wage is the government-mandated minimum. The Real Living Wage, calculated by the Living Wage Foundation based on the cost of living, is £12.60/hour nationally and £13.85/hour in London (2024/25 rates). The Real Living Wage is voluntary for employers.
Source: Gov.uk — National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. Last updated: April 2025.