Minimum wage for cleaning staff
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over. Working time can include travel between clients during the day.
| Age | From April 2026 |
|---|---|
| 21 and over | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 |
Check GOV.UK's guidance on what counts as working time, and make sure total pay ÷ total working hours never falls below the minimum. Paid holiday (5.6 weeks for full-time workers) means each hour actually worked costs about £14.24 at the National Living Wage, before employer's National Insurance and pension.
The full detail, worked examples and templates are in The Clean Start. Or work out your rate with the free price calculator.
Sources: GOV.UK: Minimum wage rates. Checked October 2026.
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