Public sector pay packets for graduates are fatter than those of their peers in the private sector, a new survey has revealed. For the second year running, public sector starter pay has outstripped private for those leaving university. The research, by management consultancy Hay Group, entitled First rung: Graduate pay trends shows starter salaries in the public sector are racing ahead. A graduate beginning a career in local government can expect an average salary of £21,529 – £306 higher than the average private sector wage of £21,223. Those starting work in central government can command an average starting salary of £21,792, and in education, £21,588. Even those beginning work in not-for-profit organisations will see an average pay packet of £20,132. Juan Novoa, from Hay Group, said: ‘The increasing professionalisation of the public sector and consequent need to attract graduate level talent, is continuing to boost starter pay packets.' The boom in public sector graduate pay is all the more remarkable as the market for graduates is showing signs of slowing down. The average graduate now starts on a salary of £20,812, and despite a rise of 2.5% since 2006, wage inflation for university leavers lags behind national levels of 3.5% over the past year. Among the highest-paid graduates are those who enter engineering, boasting an average starting salary of £22,197. At the bottom of the league are graduates who join the call centre and customer service industry with an average stating pay of £19,172. It comes as the UK's largest public sector union Unison has called on councils to end unlawful pay practices. The union has teamed up with Leicestershire MP, David Taylor, and other unions to put a motion before Parliament, calling for an end to the pay gap between men and women in local government.
