The Labour Relations Agency gives free, confidential advice on any of this, and so does Advice NI.
Quick facts
- Minimum wage, 21 and over
- £12.71 an hour
- 18 to 20
- £10.85
- Under 18 or apprentice
- £8.00
- Paid holiday
- At least 5.6 weeks a year
- Maximum average week
- 48 hours, unless you agree to more
- Written terms
- Within two months of starting
The minimum wage from April 2026
- 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 an hour
- 18 to 20: £10.85
- Under 18: £8.00
- Apprentice: £8.00
The hourly rates change on 1 April each year. It makes no difference whether you are paid weekly or monthly, or work full time or part time.
Agricultural workers
Agricultural workers in Northern Ireland are entitled to the Agricultural Minimum Wage rates, rather than the NMW or NLW, unless the NMW or NLW rate is higher. The grade rates are set by the Agricultural Wages Board each April; check the current rates with the Labour Relations Agency before relying on an older table.
Paid holiday
You are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave, which is 28 days for someone working five days a week. Part-time workers get the same pro rata, for example 22.4 days for someone working four days a week.
Bank and public holidays can be included in your minimum entitlement. You don't have a legal right to paid leave on bank and public holidays, though many people get the day off work. If you’re self-employed, you have no statutory right to paid annual leave.
Hours and overtime
Regulations say that most workers can't be made to work more than an average of 48 hours a week, but they can agree to work longer.
There's no legal right to pay for working extra hours and there are no minimum statutory levels of overtime pay, although your average pay rate must not fall below the National Minimum Wage. Part-time workers must not be treated less favourably than full-time staff.
Sick pay
If your employer runs a company sick pay scheme, you should be paid what you are due under it. If you don't have a company scheme, you will be paid Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) by your employer, as long as you qualify. See Statutory Sick Pay in NI.
Your written terms
Remember that your employer must, by law, give you written terms and conditions within two months of starting work.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in Northern Ireland in 2026?
From April 2026: £12.71 an hour at 21 and over, £10.85 at 18 to 20, and £8.00 under 18 or as an apprentice.
How much paid holiday am I entitled to?
At least 5.6 weeks a year, which is 28 days if you work five days a week. Bank holidays can count towards it.
Do I get paid extra for overtime?
Not by law. There is no minimum overtime rate, but your average pay must not fall below the minimum wage.