In the United Kingdom, the average annual earnings of graduates was higher at almost all ages in 2017, with graduates aged 46 the highest earners overall. From the ages of 21 to 23, those with an apprenticeship were the top earners, however, from the age of 24 onwards, graduates became the top earners. Each education level, despite some fluctuations, follows the same rough trend arc of growth and decline in earnings depending on age.
Average gross annual salary in the United Kingdom in 2017, by highest level of qualification and age
(in GBP)
Characteristic
Graduates
Apprenticeship
A level
GCSE A* to C
64
24,458
22,181
16,984
15,036
63
23,858
23,066
17,158
15,026
62
27,139
22,478
17,719
16,010
61
28,207
23,177
18,419
16,051
60
29,292
25,241
19,460
16,475
59
32,257
24,673
20,528
17,285
58
32,770
24,791
20,771
17,563
57
33,402
26,635
20,175
17,383
56
34,337
26,511
20,694
17,996
55
35,267
26,556
22,556
18,430
54
35,922
27,286
21,822
18,621
53
35,386
26,999
22,272
19,048
52
34,870
28,056
21,812
18,919
10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,000
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Office for National Statistics (UK). (November 24, 2017). Average gross annual salary in the United Kingdom in 2017, by highest level of qualification and age (in GBP) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/281936/average-salary-by-education-level-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Average gross annual salary in the United Kingdom in 2017, by highest level of qualification and age (in GBP)." Chart. November 24, 2017. Statista. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/281936/average-salary-by-education-level-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2017). Average gross annual salary in the United Kingdom in 2017, by highest level of qualification and age (in GBP). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/281936/average-salary-by-education-level-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Average Gross Annual Salary in The United Kingdom in 2017, by Highest Level of Qualification and Age (in Gbp)." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 Nov 2017, https://www.statista.com/statistics/281936/average-salary-by-education-level-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Average gross annual salary in the United Kingdom in 2017, by highest level of qualification and age (in GBP) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/281936/average-salary-by-education-level-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ (last visited May 14, 2025)
Average gross annual salary in the United Kingdom in 2017, by highest level of qualification and age (in GBP) [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), November 24, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/281936/average-salary-by-education-level-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
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