The line graph illustrates the weekly earnings of full-time graduate employees in 2002 across different age groups. It compares three categories of qualifications: first degree, higher degree (postgraduate) and other qualifications.
Overall, salaries for all groups tend to rise significantly during the early stages of their careers before stabilising or slightly declining in later years. People with other qualifications generally earn the highest income in most age groups, while first degree holders tend to receive the lowest pay.
At the beginning of their careers, individuals aged 21-25 earn relatively modest salaries. Those with other qualifications receive around £420 per week, compared with approximately £400 for higher degree holders and about £350 for first degree graduates. Earnings for all three groups increase rapidly over the next decade, reaching around £650-700 by the age of 31-35.
The income of people with other qualifications peaks at just over £800 in the 36-40 age group, which is considerably higher than the earnings of the other two categories. After this point, their salaries gradually decline, falling to roughly £700 by the age of 56-60.
By contrast, postgraduate degree holders continue to see a moderate increase in income in later years, eventually earning nearly £800 in the oldest age group. Meanwhile, the earnings of first degree graduates level off at around £700 after the age of 40 and remain fairly stable afterwards.