What is the average salary for graduates in the UK?

Choosing a degree is exciting, but it also comes with big questions about your future. One of the most common? What does the average graduate salary in the UK actually look like, and what could you realistically earn after uni?

In this guide, we’ll break down the average graduate salary, explore graduate starting salaries across different industries, and answer key questions. Whether you’re planning ahead or just curious, we’ve got the numbers to help you make sense of them.

Average Graduate Salaries in 2026

So, what is the average graduate salary in the UK right now?

In 2026, the average graduate starting salary in the UK sits around £42,000 per year, depending on industry and location. These figures represent the typical average graduate starting salary for someone entering a graduate scheme or professional role straight after university. The average UK graduate salary then rises to roughly £47,000 for postgraduates, with some sectors moving much higher. But it’s important to consider location, industry, experience, and degree level. 

When people search for the UK average graduate salary, they’re usually searching for reassurance. The truth? Salaries vary massively, but graduates earn more over their lifetime than non-graduates. 

Average Graduate Starting Salary by Industry

Different degrees lead to very different graduate salaries. Here’s a breakdown to give you a clearer picture of what a graduate salary in the UK looks like based on your field:

Accountancy and Banking

If you’re heading into finance, an accountant's starting salary in the UK is typically between £28,000 and £35,000, with London-based roles pushing higher.

Investment banking and corporate finance roles, however, can start at around £40,000, making them some of the highest graduate starting salaries in the country!

Biological Sciences

Life sciences graduates often start around £28,000–£30,000, though research roles may be slightly lower. If you continue into medicine or specialist healthcare, this dramatically changes. 

Business, Management, and Marketing 

Business grads see an average graduate starting salary in the UK of around £26,000–£32,000. Marketing roles usually begin at the lower end, while consultancy and operations roles sit higher. 

Computer Science

As the tech industry continues to evolve, so does the need for new employees. The average graduate salary in the UK’s computer science industry starts at around £30,000–£35,000, with software engineering roles often being even higher!

Engineering

Engineering remains a consistent top starting salary in the UK, with graduates typically earning £28,000–£34,000 to start with. Specialist fields (such as chemical, electrical, and aerospace) can push way above that.

Humanities

Offering a broader career path, humanities degrees have a lower average graduate starting salary, which tends to sit between £22,000 and £27,000. That said, long-term progression can be strong, particularly in media, communications, and policy.

Law and Policing

Law salaries vary greatly depending on the specific job you’re going into:

• Barrister starting salary: Highly variable, often £30,000, but it’s dependent on chambers and pupillage.

• Corporate lawyer starting salary in the UK: £45,000–£60,000 at top London firms.

• Police starting salary in the UK: Around £28,000.

Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing

Healthcare salaries are structured and transparent:

• Doctor starting salary in the UK: Around £32,000 for foundation doctors.

• GP starting salary in the UK: Qualified GPs often earn £65,000+.

• Dentist starting salary in the UK: Around £38,000–£45,000.

• Nurse starting salary in the UK: Approximately £28,000.

• Paramedic starting salary in the UK: Around £28,000.

• Radiographer starting salary in the UK: Roughly £28,000.

• Physiotherapy starting salary in the UK: Around £28,000.

• Starting salary for Pharmasists in the UK: Typically £32,000+.

These roles may not always top the charts for the average salary that UK graduates expect to see, but progression and job security in these fields are strong.

Psychology 

Psychology graduates often start around £23,000–£27,000, unless you’re progressing into clinical pathways (which require further study).

Social Sciences

Graduate salaries vary widely for social science students, with pay typically starting between £24,000 and £29,000.

Teaching and Education

A teacher’s starting salary in the UK is around £30,000 in England. While the starting teacher salary in the UK is slightly lower than in some other private-sector roles, salary progression is structured and reliable.

Tips for Choosing Your Career

We get it; salary matters… But it’s not everything. While it’s easy to fixate on the numbers, especially when you’re comparing the average graduate salaries in the UK across different industries, your future job is about more than just the pay cheque. Money to the side, here are our top tips for choosing your career:

Understand Your Strengths, Interests, and Values

Before obsessing over the average graduate salary in the UK, think about what you actually enjoy. Uni isn’t just about future earnings, it’s also about discovering what motivates you to get up when your alarm goes off at 6 in the morning (other than coffee, of course). One of the things you should know before starting uni is that your degree doesn’t lock you into one job forever. So if you start your career and realise you’re not interested anymore, youll have learnt plenty of transferable skills that you can put to use elsewhere. 

Assess Careers with a Suitable Graduate Salary

If money is in fact a deciding factor as to what you’ll be studying at uni, then think about the bigger picture, rather than just the graduate salary or average salary. 

When comparing industries and their average starting salary UK graduate outcomes, you should research:

• Progression rates

• Long-term earning potential

• Work-life balance

Research How to Gain Experience in the Industry

If you’re worried about getting a job with no experience, start small! Even retail and hospitality jobs build transferable skills. Alternatively, internships, placements, volunteering, and part-time work can all have a positive impact on your graduate starting salaries.

If you’re studying from abroad, you should check the visa rules around working while studying as an international student; you can work part-time during term time, which can boost your graduate salary in the UK.

Consider a Master’s Degree

A master's graduate starting salary in the UK can be higher, especially in competitive or specialist fields like finance, engineering, or data. But it’s not automatic. In many industries, experience and practical skills matter just as much as an extra qualification. 

Before committing, check what employers in your chosen field actually ask for and whether the potential salary boost justifies both the cost and time investment. 

FAQs for Average Graduate Salaries in the UK

Still got some burning questions? You’re not alone. From the average graduate salary in the UK to what counts as a good starting salary, here are the quick, clear answers students search for most (without the confusing jargon).

What is the average starting salary for a UK graduate?

The average graduate starting salary in the UK is around £42,000 in 2025.

What is the average graduate salary by university in the UK? 

The average graduate salary by university in the UK varies. Russel Group universities often report higher early-career earnings, but industry and experience matter more long term.

What is a good starting salary in the UK?

A good starting salary in the UK for graduates and postgraduates is £42,000, with it being the national median average. However, this purely depends on your chosen profession. If you’re above £23,809, you’re already above minimum wage for a 37.5-hour work week.

What is the average graduate salary in London?

The average graduate salary in London typically starts between £30,000 and £38,000: higher than the national average UK graduate salary to compensate for the cost of living there.

What is a starting teacher's salary in the UK?

A teacher’s starting salary in the UK, if you’re qualified, is £32,916 if you’re living outside of London, dropping to £22,601–£35,259 for unqualified teachers.

What is a nurse's starting salary in the UK?

A nurse’s starting salary in the UK is approximately £28,000 under the NHS’s pay bands.

What is a GP's starting salary in the UK?

A GP’s starting salary in the UK for newly qualified GPs can expect to earn at least £76,038, depending on the practice’s structure.

What is a barrister's starting salary in the UK?

A barrister’s starting salary in the UK varies significantly, but often begins around £30,000, rising sharply with experience.

What is the average wage in the UK?

Across all workers, professions, locations, and ages, a UK employee’s average wage is £39,039 as of April 2025. 

What is the average salary in London?

According to 2025 data, the average full-time salary in London is around £49,692; this makes it the highest-paying region in the UK.

What is the highest-paying job in the UK?

The most common answers to “what is the highest paying job in the UK?” usually include surgeons, investment bankers, and senior corporate lawyers. However, this is all down to experience and the company you’re working for.

The Ultimate Student Living Experience

University is about more than chasing the highest average graduate starting salary in the UK, though. It’s where you figure out what excites you, what challenges you, and what kind of life you want to build after graduation. The right environment makes that journey easier…

At aparto, we’re here for it all: the late-night revision sessions, the first interviews, the “what am I doing with my life?” chats, and the big career wins. Ready to make the most of your student years? Explore our aparto accommodation options and start building your future today.