Pay Rate
What is a pay rate?
A pay rate is the amount of money an employee receives from an employer. For salaried employees, this will refer to their annual salary, in relation to a temporary employee a pay rate can be hourly or daily. If an employee receives a pay rise, this will need to be reflected in their pay rate that’s shown on their pay slip.
National Living and Minimum Wage rates
Pay rates for employees are often regulated at the national level. In the UK, employers are required to pay a national minimum wage, in the form of a minimum hourly rate, but a pay rate can also be above this depending on experience, qualifications, and the industry standard. The salary must be outlined in the job offer, but should be disclosed much earlier in the hiring process.
In the UK, the national minimum wage is updated every year in April. As of 2024, employers must pay the national living wage to employees over the age of 21. The national minimum wage and national living wage is as follows:
21 and over £11.44
18 to 20 £8.60
Under 18 £6.40
Apprentice £6.40
Apprentices
Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:
aged under 19
aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
National Living and Minimum Wage rates
In the UK, most workers over the age of 16 get the minimum wage and they are updated annually in April.
Find further information on national minimum wages and national living wages on the UK government website.