£21 an hour is above the £12.71 National Living Wage that applies to workers aged 21 and over from 1 April 2026.
£21 an hour on different hours
Gross pay and monthly take-home on other weekly hours, over 52 paid weeks. UK law doesn't require extra pay for overtime, so extra hours are counted at the same rate here; check your contract for any overtime premium.
Hours a week
Per year, before tax
Take-home a month
16
£17,472.00
£1,341.62
20
£21,840.00
£1,603.70
30
£32,760.00
£2,258.90
37.5
£40,950.00
£2,750.30
40
£43,680.00
£2,914.10
45
£49,140.00
£3,241.70
Tax on £21 an hour
On £40,950 a year you pay £5,676 Income Tax and £2,270.40 National Insurance, leaving £33,003.60 a year. In Scotland, where Income Tax bands differ, take-home is £32,929.03 a year (£74.57 less). Full salary breakdowns: £40,000 after tax · £41,000 after tax.
£2,750.30 a month in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, working 37.5 hours a week in 2026/27 with no pension or student loan. Before tax it's £3,412.50 a month.
How much is £21 an hour a week?+
£787.50 a week before tax for 37.5 hours, or £634.68 after Income Tax and National Insurance.
What is £21 an hour for 16 hours a week?+
£17,472 a year before tax, and about £1,341.62 a month take-home.
Does this include holiday pay?+
Yes. It assumes 52 paid weeks, which includes paid holiday. Most UK workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid leave a year.