AS final year students prepare to hit the job market, new research shows the stark difference in salaries across industries, including media, legal and marketing.
The average starting salary for those in the media, for example, is £34,244, while the average starting salary in the tourism sector is just £21,901 – around £12,000 less.
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The research, conducted by independent job board CV-Library.co.uk, gives graduates an idea of what sectors pay their staff the most.
The top five industries when it comes to good average starting salaries are media (£34,244), construction (£29,530), administration (£29,007), legal (£28,030) and education (£27,848).
Bottom of the pile for starting salaries are charities (£16,075), customer services (£19,948), marketing (£20,558), medical (£21,709) and tourism (£21,901).
An analysis of more than 5,400 graduate job postings also found that the average starting salary is just shy of £25k, at £24,804.
According to separate data from job site Reed.co.uk, the average salary for the construction sector is £43,293, while the average salary for legal is £39,045, highlighting the amount salaries are boosted once a graduate is in a job for some time.
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Lee Biggins of CV-Library said: “It’s interesting to see that certain sectors are offering far higher starting salaries than others, though not entirely surprising.
“Some of these industries, such as construction, law and education, require specific skill-sets and qualifications, for example.
“But, there could also be an explanation for some of the other sectors. With the media industry, for example, a lot of graduate positions can be commercial, rather than creative or editorial, which often come with a higher pay package.”
Best and worst paying jobs for young graduates
THE top five industries include:
- Media (such as PR managers and journalists) – average starting salary of £34,244
- Construction (such as labourers and quantity surveyors) – average starting salary of £29,530
- Administration (such as receptionsists and admission officers) – average starting salary of £29,007
- Legal (such as paralegals and solicitors) – average starting salary of £28,030
- Education (such as teachers and assistants) – average starting salary of £27,848
The bottom five industries include:
- Charities (such as policy advisors and support workers) – average starting salary of £16,075
- Customer Services (such as call centre managers and customer support agents) – average starting salary of £19,948
- Marketing (such as brand executives and digital communications officers) – average starting salary of £20,558
- Medical (such as nurses and patient accounts administrator) – average starting salary of £21,709
- Tourism (such as consultants and holiday planners) – average starting salary of £21,901
In April this year, the National Living Wage rose from £7.20 to £7.50, giving workers a much needed wage boost.
It means that those working a 37.5 hour week now earn an extra £585 a year.
The wage increase was announced by chancellor Phillip Hammond during this year’s Budget. The Government’s target is for the minimum wage to be £9 an hour by 2020.
But not all workers will benefit from the new rate, as it only applies to employees over the age of 25.
Top tips on how to get a pay rise
IF you're eager for a pay rise, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances.
- Choose the right time to ask your boss. You’ll have more luck if your boss is relaxed and ready for the conversation, so it’s better to schedule a meeting rather than put them on the spot
- Prepare to tell your boss why you deserve a pay rise. Jot down reasons why you should be on more money, and be prepared to tell them how much more you want – knowing your worth will better convince them that you should be taken seriously
- If more cash isn’t an option, consider other benefits. If your employer can’t afford to give you more money, maybe they can offer you flexible working arrangements, or more annual leave days?
- If your boss refuses to give you more money and you truly believe you deserve more, or if it’s important to you, consider looking for a new role elsewhere.
If you want a big salary but don’t want the stress that comes with a demanding job, here’s a list of the highest paid jobs with the lowest stress levels.
The list shows that it’s possible to earn up to £180,000 a year without constantly pulling your hair out.
If you don’t mind having a stressful career, here’s a list of Britain’s best-paying companies – and they are all hiring.
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