Getting paid
When do I get paid?
Some people are paid weekly. Others are paid monthly. You'll normally get your first pay packet at the end of the first week or month.
Some employers, however, require people to work "a week in hand". If so, you'll get your first week's pay at the end of the second week's work.
What will I get paid?
Your employer should give you a clear statement of what your pay will be if you are an employee, or what your training allowance will be if you are a trainee.
Find out what other benefits your employer provides, such as a pension scheme (see 'Pensions'). These benefits, plus your wages or salary, are sometimes called your "total package".
Minimum wage
The National Minimum Wage (from October 2007) is:
- £3.30 per hour if you are aged 16 or 17;
- £4.45 per hour for workers aged 18–21;
- £5.35 for those aged 22 and over.
You must be paid the minimum wage if you are over the compulsory school age and not involved in an apprenticeship.
What's a payslip and why is it important?
Some employees are paid in cash in a pay packet, and others have their salary paid directly into their bank or building society account.
Either way, you should receive a 'payslip' telling you how much you earned in total, and how much of that amount you get to keep for yourself. It's worth keeping your payslips for at least a year, in case you need to refer back to them.
Payslip Name: Joe Smith
Joe Smith, 685 Hatfield Road, Hatfield AL8 BK
| Employee No |
Tax Code |
N.I. Code |
Week/ Month |
National Insurance No |
| 062 | 568LR | A | 3 | KT 66 99 88 D |
| Gross Pay: | £833.33 per month (or £10,000 per year) |
| Income Tax: | £76.08 per month |
| National Insurance Contribution | £41.62 per month |
| Pension Contribution: | £45 per month |
| Net Pay: | £715.63 per month (or £8,587.60 per year) |
In this case, Joe ends up with £715.63 paid into his bank account each month for him to use. Even though his monthly salary is £833.33!
So if an employer offers you "£10,000 a year", remember that the total paid into your bank account is likely to be much less in reality (£8,587.60 in Joe's case!).
National Insurance Number
Everyone gets a national insurance number sent to them when they reach the age of 16. It is used as identification for work and training, or when claiming benefits. Keep your national insurance card safe. If you lose it, phone the National Insurance Registration Helpline (see 'further information').
Pay deductions
Income Tax
Compulsory! This is paid to the Inland
Revenue (the Government). Amount is based on your income.
More about
Income Tax.
National Insurance contribution
Compulsory! Amount depends on your income.
More about National Insurance contributions.
Pension scheme contributions
Optional! This is paid to boost income
upon retirement. Amounts vary depending on income
and the type of scheme.
More about pensions.
Student Loan deductions
If you take out a loan when you are a student you will not have to
start repaying it until you earn at least £15,000 per year (£1,250
per month, £288.46 per week). This is known as a threshold. You
will then have 9% deducted from any amount you earn above
the £15,000.
Gross pay
Your total monthly pay with no deductions taken off.
Net pay
Your total 'take home' pay.
This page was updated on 5 August, 2008
