What to expect as a new graduate — sector-by-sector benchmarks from ONS ASHE 2025
Entry-level salary expectations across 7 sectors
Before you read: how to interpret these figures
The salaries below are national medians for each occupation — the midpoint across all experience levels. As a graduate, your starting salary will typically be 15-30% below the median, depending on the sector. You can expect to reach the median within 3-5 years of career progression.
These figures are still enormously useful for career planning. They tell you the earnings trajectory of each profession — what you are building toward, not just where you will start. A career with a high median salary indicates strong long-term earning potential, even if the graduate entry point is modest.
Salary benchmarks by sector
We have grouped common graduate-entry occupations into sectors. Click any occupation to see its full regional breakdown, hourly rate, and salary guide.
Technology & IT
Technology & IT — median salaries (all experience levels)
The UK graduate job market has become increasingly competitive, with more graduates than ever competing for professional roles. Understanding the salary landscape before you apply gives you a significant advantage — both in choosing which careers to pursue and in negotiating your starting package.
Technology: the fast track
Technology offers some of the fastest routes to high earnings for graduates. Software developers, data analysts, and cyber security professionals are in persistent demand, and many tech companies offer competitive starting salaries plus equity, bonuses, and rapid progression. A graduate developer in London can expect to start at £30,000-£40,000, with salaries doubling within 3-5 years for strong performers.
Importantly, tech is one of the few sectors where self-taught professionals and bootcamp graduates can compete with traditional degree-holders. If you are considering a career change, technology is worth serious consideration.
Finance: high ceiling, high entry bar
Finance and accounting roles offer strong long-term earnings, particularly for those who pursue professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CFA). Graduate schemes at major accountancy firms typically start at £25,000-£30,000 outside London, rising to £35,000-£45,000 once qualified. Investment banking and quantitative finance roles start higher but demand exceptional academic credentials.
Healthcare: structured progression
NHS roles follow Agenda for Change pay bands, which provide predictable progression. Graduate nurses start on Band 5 (around £29,970 in 2024/25), with annual increments and opportunities to move into specialist or management bands. For medical graduates, the foundation programme starts at around £32,000, rising substantially through specialty training.
The structured nature of NHS pay means you can predict your earning trajectory with reasonable accuracy — something that is harder in the private sector.
Engineering: steady demand
Graduate engineers are well-compensated relative to many other professions, with starting salaries typically £26,000-£32,000. Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers all benefit from strong demand driven by infrastructure investment, the energy transition, and manufacturing. Chartered status (CEng) leads to significant salary increases.
Education: mission-driven
Teaching starts on the Main Pay Scale (around £30,000 in England, higher in London) with annual progression and additional responsibility allowances. While teaching salaries are lower than many private-sector alternatives, the role offers job security, a defined-benefit pension, and generous holiday allowance. For graduates who value purpose and work-life balance, the total package can be competitive.
Creative industries: variable but rewarding
Creative roles — design, journalism, writing, media — tend to have lower starting salaries but offer enormous variety and fulfilment. Freelancing is common and can lead to higher earnings once you build a reputation. UX/UI design and content strategy roles in tech companies often offer significantly higher pay than traditional creative agencies.
Negotiation tips for graduates
Many graduates accept the first salary offered without negotiating. This is a mistake. Even a small increase compounds over your entire career. Here is how to negotiate effectively:
Know the benchmark — use the data on wagearea.com to find the national median for your target role. You are aiming for a starting salary somewhere below this, but the closer you can get, the better.
Research the employer — larger companies and those in higher-cost areas typically pay more. Check Glassdoor and LinkedIn for real salary data from recent hires.
Highlight relevant experience — internships, part-time work, and side projects all add value. Quantify your achievements where possible.
Negotiate the full package — if the base salary is fixed (common on graduate schemes), ask about signing bonuses, training budgets, flexible working, or extra holiday days.
Be professional and evidence-based — present your case with data, not demands. Employers respect candidates who have done their research.
Armed with the salary data in this guide, you can walk into any negotiation with confidence and a clear sense of your market value.
Data source
All salary figures are from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025. These represent median salaries across all experience levels for each occupation. Graduate starting salaries will typically be 15-30% below these figures. See our methodology for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average graduate salary in the UK in 2025?
Graduate salaries vary enormously by sector. Technology and finance graduates typically start between £28,000-£35,000, while creative and public sector roles often start lower at £22,000-£27,000. The figures in this guide show median salaries for each occupation — as a graduate, you can expect to start below the median and progress toward it within 2-5 years.
Which graduate careers pay the most?
Investment banking and corporate law consistently offer the highest graduate starting salaries, often £40,000-£50,000+ in London. Software engineering, management consulting, and medicine also offer strong starting pay. However, high starting salaries are not everything — consider career trajectory, job satisfaction, and work-life balance alongside raw numbers.
How long does it take to reach the median salary?
Most graduates reach the national median for their occupation within 3-5 years. Some fast-track careers — particularly in technology and finance — can see graduates hitting the median within 2 years. Public sector roles with structured pay scales (NHS, teaching) have more predictable but slower progression.
Should I focus on salary or career growth as a graduate?
For most graduates, career growth potential matters more than starting salary. A role that pays slightly less but offers rapid skill development, mentorship, and clear progression can lead to significantly higher earnings within 5-10 years compared to a higher-starting role with limited growth. That said, you should still negotiate — even a small increase at the start compounds over your career.
Does a degree grade affect starting salary?
For competitive graduate schemes (investment banks, top consultancies, law firms), a 2:1 or above is typically required and a First may lead to a higher starting offer. For most other employers, relevant skills, work experience, and interview performance matter more than degree classification. Postgraduate qualifications can also command a premium in certain fields — particularly STEM subjects and MBA programmes.
Are graduate salaries higher in London?
Yes, London graduate salaries are typically 15-30% higher than elsewhere. However, London living costs — especially rent — eat into that premium significantly. A graduate earning £30,000 in Manchester may have more disposable income than one earning £38,000 in London. See our cost-of-living salary guide for the full picture.
Data source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025.
Methodology
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