New graduates entering the full-time job market for the first time are earning an average gross salary of €2,510, marking a 14% increase compared to three years ago and an 18% rise from six years ago, according to HR company Acerta, which analysed payroll data from over half a million employees.
However, Acerta notes that this average masks significant differences depending on education level. Graduates with a university degree start with the highest average salary of €2,982 gross, followed by those with higher education diplomas at €2,820. Those with higher secondary education earn €2,568 on average, while graduates with only lower secondary education receive €2,227.
Interestingly, the wage gap between these groups has narrowed markedly in recent years. Over the past six years, university graduates have seen their starting salaries increase by just 10.86%. In contrast, graduates with higher secondary diplomas have experienced an almost 30% increase in starting pay, while those with only lower secondary education have seen an even greater rise of 36.12%.
Acerta also highlights that not all graduates work in jobs that match their educational level. Moreover, gross salary figures don’t tell the whole story, as extra-legal benefits—which vary widely between sectors—are sometimes a significant part of the compensation package. Finally, Acerta emphasises that a high starting salary does not always guarantee strong wage growth in the future.
