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Graduate Salaries UK 2025: What to Expect by Sector and Region

salary6 min read2026-06-24

Graduate starting salaries in the UK have continued to rise in 2025. This guide covers what you can expect to earn as a new graduate, broken down by sector, region, and qualification level.

Average Graduate Salary 2025

The median graduate starting salary in the UK for 2025 is approximately £29,000-£32,000, up from £28,000-£30,000 in 2024. Top graduate schemes at major companies offer between £32,000 and £45,000.

Graduate Salaries by Sector

  • Investment Banking: £50,000-£65,000 (including bonuses)
  • Law (City firms): £50,000-£60,000 (training contract)
  • Technology: £32,000-£45,000
  • Engineering: £30,000-£38,000
  • Consulting: £35,000-£50,000
  • Accounting: £28,000-£35,000
  • Marketing: £25,000-£32,000
  • Retail Management: £26,000-£32,000
  • Public Sector: £25,000-£31,000
  • Charity/Non-Profit: £22,000-£28,000

Graduate Salaries by Region

Location significantly impacts graduate pay:

  • London: £32,000-£55,000 (highest, but highest living costs)
  • South East: £28,000-£38,000
  • Scotland: £26,000-£34,000
  • North West: £26,000-£33,000
  • Midlands: £25,000-£32,000
  • North East: £24,000-£30,000
  • Wales: £24,000-£30,000
  • Northern Ireland: £23,000-£29,000

Graduate Take-Home Pay Examples

Here's what typical graduate salaries look like after tax and NI in 2025/2026:

  • £27,000 (UK): Take home approximately £22,978 per year (£1,915/month)
  • £32,000 (UK): Take home approximately £26,528 per year (£2,211/month)
  • £38,000 (London tech): Take home approximately £30,880 per year (£2,573/month)
  • £55,000 (City law): Take home approximately £40,717 per year (£3,393/month)

Tips for Maximising Your Graduate Salary

  • Apply early: Many top graduate schemes open in September-November for the following September intake
  • Consider location carefully: A £30,000 salary in Manchester goes further than £38,000 in London
  • Negotiate: 45% of graduates who negotiated their offer received more
  • Look beyond base salary: Consider bonus potential, pension contributions, and training budgets

Use our salary calculator to check your take-home pay for any graduate salary offer, with accurate UK and Scottish tax calculations.