Dentistry and medicine graduates were found to earn the highest salary 15 months after leaving university in a UK-wide survey.
The average salary for these subjects was £37,924, compared to the national average of £28,500. The top five subjects for graduate salary were:
- Medicine and dentistry – £37,924
- Veterinary science – £33,750
- Engineering and technology – £31,975
- Mathematical sciences – £31,450
- Computing – £30,998.
While the average graduate salary had increased from £27,000 the previous year, slightly more graduates were unemployed this year. There were also fewer graduates are in full-time work or study than previously.
Female graduates were found to be more likely to be employed than male, though they were also more likely to be in part-time work rather than full-time. Of those in full-time employment, more men than women reported salaries greater than £33,000.
Dentistry and medicine were also found to be the most likely to lead to high-skilled work. Graduates from these subjects were in high-skilled jobs 97% of the time. This is compared to 49% for agriculture and food related subjects, which had the lowest rate of skilled employment.
Around 82% of dentistry and medicine graduates were working in human health and social work activities. However 9% were in education and 2% in public administration and defence.
Are dentistry graduates earning more than last year?
These statistics were collected through the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s Graduate Outcomes Survey. More than 350,000 UK graduates in the 2022/3 cohort provided data 15 months after completing their studies.
In last year’s survey, dentistry was also found to have the highest graduate salary of £42,000. This was followed by medicine, pharmacology and pharmacy, and veterinary medicine at £35,000.
Similarly to this year, 97% of dentistry and medicine graduates were in high-skilled work. Almost seven in 10 (69%) were working full time. A further 19% were in further study and 7% were in part time employment.
Just 2% considered themselves to be unemployed, though 3% were occupied with non-work activities such as travel or caring.
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