I am getting an increasing and worrying number of questions regarding the pay rates for apprentices under the age of 21, mainly from apprentices who believe that they are being underpaid by their employers.
For Salon Owners
If your apprentice is aged 19 and over you can pay them £2.50 per hour in their first year of apprenticeship only.
If your apprentice is in their second year you must pay them the minimum wage relivant to their age. IE.
Apprentices aged over 19 should be paid the following hourly rates.
20 years of age £ 4.92 per hour
21 years and over £5.93 per hour.
These rates are likely to change in October 2011.
looloo94x says
Hi, I’m 18 years old, and just about qualified in my level2 in hairdessing. Before I turn 19 in march I will be on my level 3 hairdressing. I have been working in my salon for almost 2 years now. Does this mean I am entitled to national minimum wage for a 19 year old once I’m qualifed and turn 19? Or will my wages only go up when the national minimum wage rate changes in october? I only recently got my minimum wages rate in october which is £100 per week. Please help!
Mick Say says
Hi Laura
The national minimum wage for an apprentice aged 18 to 20 in his or her second year of training is £4.98 per hour. You should now be earning £189.24 for a 38 hour week.
I hope this clears things up for you.
Read all of this page in detail:
National Minimum Wage for Hairdressers is the Law, not a suggestion
Regards – Mick
looloo94x says
Thank you very much!!
Debs says
my daughter is coming to the end of her 2nd year haidressing apprentice
and she seems to be having a hard time earning a desent wage they keep sending her home saying
there is no work for her. but the thing is that they have just started another apprentice, is this fair?
I thought if you were the last one in you would be the first one to go on short time? I just feel that she is being messed about. I would have thought they should not have employed another apprentice until they had enough work to go around for the existing workers. How does my daughter stand in this? she feels that they are going to get rid of her.
Mick Say says
Hi Debra
Unfortunately I would not be able to comment on this issue without interviewing your daughter and the salon owners.
However, as the parent of an apprentice, you are entitled to ask for an appointment with the salon owner in order to ask these questions directly.
Sorry that I cannot be more help.. Mick
keeley says
Hi my daughter started her apprentship when she was 16 since starting she was paid most 95 a wk. Her contaract states tue collage wed thurs fri sat working. They made her redundent but after a arguing he couldnt do that. He offered me to come back working 20hrs. I also argued he couldnt do that either. As an apprentice i have to be working 30+ Hes agreed to take me back on 30 hrs but wants to change my contract can he do this. Also up until the age of 19 i was being paid 95 -105 im in my final yr.
Mick Say says
Contracts can be changed by agreed negotiation by two parties. However, an apprentice should have “a deed of apprenticeship” rather than a standard contract. The deed of apprenticeship will/would state the term of the apprenticeship.
Please also read this page on national minimum wage for apprentices in hairdressing and beauty.
sian says
hi,
im 19 and doing my nvq l3 hairdressing, i have been in training now for 5 years should i still get paid £100 per week?
Mick Say says
Hi Sian
Please read this page about national minimum wage for Hairdressers and Beauty Therapists and you will see how much you should be paid.
lindsey says
Hi im a 19yr old hairdresser in my final yr. my boss made me redundent as he couldnt afford to keep me. i argued that what he done was unlawful. After a meeting he agreed that he done wrong i said i can go back but only part time instead of full time. can he do this. also what should my wages be. thank you
Michelle says
Hi I am a qualified senior stylist in south Africa
What is the minimum wage for senior stylists in London?
Would I be required to redo any assesments?
Our trade tests are internationally recognized
I am 27 years old with 10 tears experience
Rob says
Hi
Im 21 and I am due to complete a level 3 nvq but its only taken me 6 months, am I entiltled to pay rise on completion as i have only been employed for 6 months, but technically I wont be an apprentice because i’ll be qualified.
Thanks
Louise says
Hi,
My daughter started an apprenticeship on 26th July 2010 working in a salon and, qualified her NVQ level 2 in May this year. She was 18 in November 2011. She has just started her level 3 and will be 19 in November. She works 44 hours per week. I have read all the other posts but am still a bit confused!! Am I right in thinking that once she qualified in May this year, her money should have gone up to the minimum wage for her age i.e. £4.98? I note that you state an employer can only pay an apprentice £2.50 in their first year, after the year is up, then they go on the minimum rates per age. Would this then mean that my daughter’s wages should have gone up to the minimum wage for her age i.e. 17 after completing her 1st year of her apprenticeship in in July 2011 and then again in November 2011 when she turned 18? She does have a contract which states that her employment started on the 26th July 2010 and that the first 6 months of her employment would be probationary. It also states that her employment will be reviewed at the end of her probationary period. However, although her probationary period was up in January 2011 and, the company continued her employment, no new contract has been produced. Many thanks.
Lorraine says
I am an 18 year old girl who has completed level 2 NVQ and now a qualified hairdresser. Both myself and my employer have decided I should continue on to gain level 3.
Should I still be paid at my apprentice wage of £2.60 per hour or should I now be paid the National Minimum Wage for my age?
Caroline says
Hi i have just completed the VRQ level 2& 3 ladies hairdressing.I have been told to go back to do NVQ l.vel. 3. if i want to go on to teach Assessors.Do i have to work in a salon(how many days) and would it be paid or unpaid?i have been told to work 2days unpaid and day at college ???I am 37 years old.Hope you can help !Thanks
michelleharris says
Hi Caroline,
NVQ’s are are assessed on practical assignments and a portfolio of evidence. Normally, a qualified assessor will observe you and question you about the real work you carry out in the workplace (or a realistic working environment). They will test your knowledge and understanding as well as your actual performance. So you would work as an apprentice.
To find out who is offering NVQs or other vocational qualifications near you, speak to your:
careers advisor
local further education college
employer
Thanks, and good luck
Alison says
Hi, I’m looking to get into hairdressing but can’t afford to not be earning while I do so, so I have been looking into apprenticeships. I knew the wage was pretty low but is this really it? I’m 23 and I’m currently on a pretty good wage in my job but it’s completely not what I want to do with my life. Is there any other funding or support you can get whilst doing your apprenticeship? And how do you find a salon that takes on an apprentice? If anyone can help at all advising me how to get started I’d be very greatful!
michelleharris says
Hi Alison
Yes, job satisfaction is important and sometimes we do have to take a drop in wages to find that.
We posted these rates in Feb 2011
If your apprentice is aged 19 and over you can pay them £2.50 per hour in their first year of apprenticeship only.
Apprentices aged over 19 should be paid the following hourly rates.
20 years of age £ 4.92 per hour
21 years and over £5.93 per hour.
You could take a look at this website, it has lot of information and a job page too – good luck http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Types-of-Apprenticeships/Retail-and-Commercial-Enterprise/Hairdressing.aspx
Good Luck
emma says
I am 17 and about to go onto my second year, do my wages go up or stay the same?
Mick Say says
The Government also announced that it had accepted the LPC’s recommendation to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour. The new rate will apply to those apprentices who are under 19 or those that are aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship.
laura says
Hi I’m 24yrs old n have completed my level 1 n level 2 hairdressing I am currently doing a apprentice level 3 in a salon I have worked there for 7 months and get paid 2.60 hour is this right or shud I b on minimum wage because av completed 2 nvqs in hairdressing
Mick Say says
Hi Laura,
An employer can pay the £2.50 rate to an apprentice in their first year, after the year, then you go on the rates per age.
These are the rates ….
If your apprentice is aged 19 and over you can pay them £2.50 per hour in their first year of apprenticeship only.
If your apprentice is in their second year you must pay them the minimum wage relivant to their age. IE.
minimum wage rate for apprentices £2.60 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 16-17 year olds £3.68 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 18-20 year olds £4.98 an hour
the minimum wage adult rate £6.08 an hour
Rob says
Hi
Im 21 and I am due to complete a level 3 nvq but its only taken me 6 months, am I entiltled to pay rise on completion as i have only been employed for 6 months, but technically I wont be an apprentice because i’ll be qualified.
Niceswan! 🙂
Sharon says
Hi
My daughter is 16 years old and just started her 1st job in hairdressing 6 weeks ago, the position was for a trainee stylist and the salary would meet national training standards. Her working week is 41.5 hours and she is being paid £75 per week.
She is being told that is correct and will not go onto apprenticeship salary of £2.60 until they decide to put her to college which is normally around 6 months.
They advised her salary is correct as she is currently on a government scheme therefore her wages are correct. To give you the full picture the vacancy was advertised in the local paper & directgov website, she applied for this whilst still in 5th year at school.
Is this legal …… Is there such schemes out there??
Mick Say says
Hi Sharon this is the website for the national minimum wages, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/employees/thenationalminimumwage/dg_10027201 regulations I referred to are for apprentices – she is either an apprentice or not… I would think for them its better she is. However have a look at the website
Thanks
Bex2102 says
Hi a have finished my 2nd year of hairdressing within the Salon and day release college , am 19 can u tell me what rate of pay I should be on ?
Mick Say says
Hi Bex, The new rates on are
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills minimum wage rates from 1 October 2011:
the minimum wage rate for apprentices £2.60 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 16-17 year olds £3.68 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 18-20 year olds £4.98 an hour
the minimum wage adult rate £6.08 an hour
chelsea mitchell says
hi there i am working in a hairdressers i am 16 years old and i work 44 hours a week and i am only getting 100 pounds is that correct? for my age?i am nearly finished my level 2 hairdressing but why am i not getting the mimuim wage if i am doing 44 hours a week ?
Mick Say says
Are you serving an apprenticeship ?
rates from 1 October 2011:
the minimum wage rate for apprentices £2.60 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 16-17 year olds £3.68 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 18-20 year olds £4.98 an hour
the minimum wage adult rate £6.08 an hour
SHARON says
i have passed my apprenticeship upto level to been working on shop floor for 6 months i am 18 years old will be 19 end of april can u pls give me a guide of the wage i should be on pls
michelleharris says
Hi Sharon
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills minimum wage rates from 1 October 2011:
the minimum wage rate for apprentices £2.60 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 16-17 year olds £3.68 an hour
the minimum wage rate for 18-20 year olds £4.98 an hour
the minimum wage adult rate £6.08 an hour
LESLEY WICKHAM says
Hi
Can you please advise me what the minimum wage for an apprentice was before the 2.60 in Oct 2011, also what is the best course of action to take if you know you have been underpaid and trying to talk to your employers has had very little response , i really want to finish my apprentiship but i feel completely stuck as i know if i make waves they will make my working days impossible!!!!! and nobody wants that
I have also asked for a copy of my contract many times and this also has been met with no response
I am so frustrated and very unhappy this was not what i had expected from a reputable high street hairdressers
michelleharris says
Hi Leslie
We posted these rates in Feb 2011
If your apprentice is aged 19 and over you can pay them £2.50 per hour in their first year of apprenticeship only.
Apprentices aged over 19 should be paid the following hourly rates.
20 years of age £ 4.92 per hour
21 years and over £5.93 per hour.
You do need to look at your contract of employment.
Hope you get it sorted out.
stevi fell says
Hi, I have just qualified as a nvq level 2 hairdresser. My previous salon had me working 36 hours per week
And worked the Wednesday for free. I was paid £55 per week. I was 19 when I started working their , and was 20 when I left. Although I didnt have a contract and wasn’t receiving the right training. Is there anything I could do about it? As I don’t think i was treated fairly
michelleharris says
These are the rates from before October 2011
If your apprentice is aged 19 and over you can pay them £2.50 per hour in their first year of apprenticeship only.
If your apprentice is in their second year you must pay them the minimum wage relivant to their age. IE.
Apprentices aged over 19 should be paid the following hourly rates.
20 years of age £ 4.92 per hour
21 years and over £5.93 per hour.
Here are some useful numbers including the ACAS – http://www.haircouncil.org.uk/pages/usefulcontacts.html
Good Luck
michelleharris says
Hi Leslie
From the post above
The Government also announced that it had accepted the LPC’s recommendation to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour. The new rate will apply to those apprentices who are under 19 or those that are aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Hope that helps