It’s no secret that one of the main benefits of an apprenticeship is that you earn while you learn. But if this is why you’re leaning more towards an apprenticeship then the question that you will want to ask is: how much do apprentices get paid? Well, there isn’t just one right answer to this. There are many factors that will influence your wage; how old you are, how long you’ve been doing your apprenticeship, and the company you work for – just to name a few. At Avant Skills Academy, we have broken down the apprentice wage in this blog, so you can start your apprenticeship with a clear idea of what you’ll be earning. Let’s get into it.
The Current Minimum Wage for an Apprentice
So how much do apprentices get paid exactly? Well you’ll be entitled to apprentice minimum wage, which is currently £7.55 an hour as of April 2025. You can take a look at the current minimum wage for an apprentice on the gov website here. This apprentice minimum wage applies to those who are under 19, and to those who are 19 and over but who are still in the first year of their apprenticeship (we’ll touch on this more later). Pay rates are reviewed every April so be sure to check the latest figures before you start applying so you’re aware of what you’re legally entitled to.
Apprenticeship Wage For 16 Year Olds
For school leavers stepping into their first full-time role, the apprenticeship wage for 16 year olds is the apprentice minimum wage (£7.55). For many learners this is their very first job, so earning an income whilst you’re working towards a qualification all while gaining valuable experience is what attracts many learners to the apprenticeship route. Unlike university, you don’t have tuition fees or rack up student debt. For a young person still living at home, the apprenticeship wage for 16 year olds will cover personal expenses such as clothes, travel and leisure while leaving some to save.
Apprenticeship Wage For 19 Year Olds Or Older
Now, the apprenticeship wage for 19 year olds and over works a little bit differently. For the first year, the £7.55 minimum wage for an apprentice still applies. However, after you’ve completed one year, your pay must increase to the national minimum wage, which for 18 – 20 year olds is currently £10 an hour. That means if you’re 20 and in your second year, you’ll earn more than a 17 year old in their first year. It’s worth asking potential employers how they handle that transition; some will raise your wage at the 12 month mark exactly, others may raise your wage before then. It depends on the employer.
Why Apprentice Minimum Wage Exists In Its Current Form
The apprentice minimum wage is designed with the idea that you’re combining work with structured training. Employers invest time and money into your development (from mentoring to covering training provider costs) and in return, the starting wage that they legally have to pay you is lower than for a fully trained employee. For someone just out of school, this can be the perfect way to get into the labour market without having to fund further study like a University degree.
For adults switching careers, it can mean a temporary dip in earnings while learning skills that open doors to better-paid work. A 27 year old who moves from retail into a business administrator apprenticeship might take home less in the first year than their previous job. But by the time they qualify, they could be earning significantly more in a permanent role with progression routes that simply weren’t there before.
Differences Between Industries and Employers
While £7.55 rate is the legal floor, there’s nothing stopping employers from offering more, and many do. In sectors where competition for apprentices is high, higher wages are a recruitment tool. For example, a large company may offer a higher starting salary for a data technician apprentice, whereas a small salon may offer the minimum apprentice wage for a hairdressing apprentice. Either way, you’re still earning while you’re learning, and you’re not racking up student loan debt, which will be more beneficial in the future once you’ve established a career in your chosen industry.
Life On An Apprentice Wage
Even at the higher end, apprentice wages require some budgeting. For the first-year apprentice earning the minimum, that might mean choosing a monthly bus pass over daily tickets, preparing lunches instead of buying them, or taking advantage of discounts. Many apprentices qualify for the NUS Apprentice Card, which offers savings on travel, clothes and entertainment. If you’re fresh out of school and this is your first time earning a living wage, many apprentices appreciate the pay. However if you are older and are retraining in a different field through apprenticeships, then this pay cut can take time adjusting to. But you need to remember that sometimes you need to take a step back to move forward, and the pay you will receive once your career takes off can make your time on an apprentice wage all worth it.
Pay After Completing The Apprenticeship
While you may only be on minimum wage for an apprentice during your course, you are building yourself up for a long career in your chosen field. During the apprenticeship you will be gaining hands-on experience, which is highly attractive to not only your current employer, but future jobs too. Many employers take on an apprentice with the intention that they will keep you on after you’ve finished your course, as they have invested a lot of time in training you and making sure that you adapt to the company’s way of doing things. This means that if you are kept on, your pay will increase from apprentice wage to at least the national minimum wage for your age.
As you continue to grow and develop your skills you could be met with pay rises and bonuses: how much you will earn depends on your employer, industry and location. For example if you complete a data technician apprenticeship, you could be earning a salary of £24,420 per year according to Indeed. A qualified operations manager in Hull could make £42,205 per year. Doing an apprenticeship opens doors for future career growth, the difference between going down this route as opposed to getting your qualification through university is that you won’t have student loans to pay back. Which means you could potentially be left with more take home pay per year than someone with a degree.
What to Ask Before You Start
Before accepting an offer you want to ask how much do apprentices get paid? So you know whether your employer will pay you the apprentice minimum wage or whether they will pay you a higher salary. Some employers pay you monthly and others weekly, so it’s a good thing to know when you’ll be receiving your pay cheque before you start your role. It’s also worth asking about any additional benefits related to your pay, for example free lunches or subsidised travel, as these can make a difference to your overall monthly budget.
Starting an Apprenticeship with Avant Skills Academy
At Avant Skills Academy we work with employers across Hull and Grimsby, and surrounding areas to place apprentices in roles that match their interests and career ambitions. We offer a variety of courses, for example: content creator, business administrator, hairdressing, data technician, operations manager and more. While we can’t control what every employer pays, we help you find opportunities that offer not just fair wages but also the training and support you need to succeed. We’ll guide you through the application process, prepare you for interviews, and make sure you understand the details of the role (including pay) before you commit.
For many apprentices, the starting wage is just the beginning. The skills, experience, and connections you build over the course can be worth far more than the pay packet in that first year. Whether you’re 16 and taking your first step into work, or 20 and looking to retrain, understanding your wage is part of making an informed decision. Take a look at our apprenticeship vacancies here and kickstart your career today.