Graduate Salaries in the UK by Field (Real Numbers)

Picking a degree is fun—until you graduate and discover some careers pay champagne money while others pay… well, lemonade. If you’re trying to figure out where your field stands on the salary food chain, here’s the breakdown of what UK graduates really earn in their first year or two after uni.

The Real Picture of Graduate Salaries in the UK

Most of the big numbers you see online refer to lifetime graduate earnings—not what you’ll earn in your first proper job. Here’s the reality:

Median Salary for All Graduates (16–64 years)

£42,000
This includes every working-age graduate across all career stages. It is not a starting salary—just the long-term average.

Average UK Graduate Starting Salary

£29,000 – £34,000
This is the true range for fresh graduates 12–15 months after finishing university.

Typical Graduate Salary Range

£18,000 – £90,000+
The lower end belongs to creative fields. The upper end? Investment banking, elite tech, and certain law roles that immediately change your tax bracket.

Graduate Starting Salaries by Sector

Below are the real-world ranges you can expect within your first 1–2 years after graduation.

Finance and Professional Services (Highest Paying Sector)

If you want high salaries quickly, this is the road most paved with gold.

• Investment Banking Operations: £40,000 – £65,000
  Top global firms sometimes start graduates at £65,000 – £90,000, plus bonuses that could pay for a small island.
• Accountancy (Trainee Chartered): £25,000 – £38,000
  Big Four salaries rise sharply once you qualify.
• Consulting: £30,000 – £45,000
  Fast-paced, demanding, and very well-paid.

Technology and Computing

UK tech salaries are strong and rising—especially if you have niche skills.

• Software Developer / Engineer: £28,000 – £45,000
  AI, cybersecurity, and data roles push the upper end.
• Systems Analyst / Web Design: £24,000 – £30,000

Law

Your salary depends massively on whether you’re in London and at a big-name firm.

• Trainee Solicitor (Top City Firms): £50,000 – £65,000
• Trainee Solicitor (Regional): £24,000 – £35,000
• Pupil Barrister: Minimum £23,078 in London
  Top chambers pay £70,000+ for pupillage.

Medicine and Healthcare

Most of these salaries follow NHS pay bands.

• Junior Doctor (Foundation Year 1): £36,616
• Adult Nurse (Band 5): £29,970
• Trainee Clinical Scientist (Band 6): £37,338

Engineering and Manufacturing

Engineering graduates enjoy solid pay and reliable long-term progression.

• General Engineering Graduate: £28,000 – £35,000
• Chemical / Civil Engineer: £26,000 – £32,000
• Average for Engineering Graduates: £30,998 (HESA)

Education

Government pay scales mean salary stability but slower progression.

• Qualified Teacher (England, outside London): £31,650
  Rising to £32,916 in September 2025.

Retail, Marketing, and HR

A mixed bag—great if you land a big-brand scheme, more modest otherwise.

• Retail Management Trainee: £22,000 – £30,000
  (Aldi’s famous graduate scheme is the exception at £50,000+.)
• Digital Marketing / HR Assistant: £22,000 – £27,000

Creative Arts and Media (Lowest Starting Pay)

Rewarding? Yes. High-paying? Not immediately.

• Journalism / Publishing: £18,000 – £26,000
• Graphic / Digital Design: £18,000 – £23,000

Graduate Salary by Degree Subject

Based on UK Graduate Outcomes data (15 months after graduation):

Conclusion

Graduate salaries in the UK range from modest beginnings to sky-high starting figures—depending heavily on your industry, skills, and location. The good news is that almost every field offers strong salary growth over time, even if you start lower than expected.

If you want to boost your chances of landing a well-paid role quickly, confidence alone won’t cut it. Strong applications, strategic job hunting, and standing out from the crowd are what make the difference.

Take it further with:
49 Powerful Ways to Stand Out in Your Job Hunt