The minimum wage and offset rates
The current minimum wage and offset rates are shown in the table below:
| Minimum wage (per hour) | £13
|
|---|
Minimum wage (per hour) – Year 1 trainee rate, start date on or after 1 September 2025
|
£10.50
|
|---|
Maximum weekly offset for accommodation (Main minimum wage rate)
|
£146.02
|
|---|
Maximum weekly offset for accommodation and food (Main minimum wage rate)
| £194.60
|
|---|
Maximum weekly offset for accommodation (trainee rate)
| £117.95
|
|---|
Maximum weekly offset for accommodation and food (trainee rate)
| £157.15
|
|---|
Qualification for the minimum wage
An employee is entitled to receive the minimum wage once they have reached the statutory school leaving age. This falls on 30 June in the year in which the employee completes their Year 11 studies.
Most young people will be 16 on this date. Those with birthdays in July or August will still be 15. This is also the date from which an employer is required to deduct and pay social security contributions.
The hourly rate paid to an employee who is below the statutory school leaving age is at the discretion of the employer and social security contributions are not required.
Trainee minimum wage and approved training programmes
By law, an employer may only pay the Trainee Minimum Wage rate, if the trainee employee is taking part in an approved training programme. Rates are set out in the table above.
Find more information about what an approved training programme involves in our guidance document. It includes a list of the courses which are approved and have been accredited by Skills Jersey.
Trainee minimum wage guidance
If an employer is proposing to employ a trainee on a course that is not approved, then they must seek advice from
Skills Jersey. They will advise whether the trainee minimum wage rate or the main minimum wage rate is payable.
The new trainee minimum wage rates apply to trainees who begin an approved training programme on or after 1 September 2025.
Trainees who began an approved training programme before 1 September 2025 will continue to be entitled to the main minimum wage rate.
Skills Jersey provide a wide range of advice and assistance to employers and employees.
Previous reviews of the minimum wage
gov.je