Pay for graduates starting jobs in the public sector now outstrips the average for private companies, according to new research. The average salary for graduates taking public sector jobs will be £21,445 this year, an increase of 7%, while those who have found roles in the private sector can expect to take home £20,035. The report, by the Hay Group, also found social work is now in the top-10 for graduate salaries, and that civil service pay was only outpaced by wages in the oil industry. Rob McPherson, pay analyst at Hay Group, said: ‘As we see a trend towards increasing professionalisation in the public sector, management training schemes in public bodies such as the NHS and the civil service are paying graduates very competitive wages. IT, law and finance professionals can expect to earn well during their careers, but starter salaries for these competitive professions are relatively low. ‘Moderate pay in the IT sector, in particular, is due partly to a surplus of graduates entering the industry.'
