The weekly earnings of graduates in various age groups who owned a degree, a higher degree and other qualifications in 2002 are illustrated in the line chart.
To summarize, the weekly income of the youngest employees was the lowest among all types of degree. Although all graduates’ earnings increased in the age range of 36 to 40, older workers with different degrees experienced a distinct trend.
The youngest employees ( 21-25) in three kinds of degrees earned approximately 400 on average, with higher degree holders having the highest earnings. These figures then made significant rises, peaking at 820, 750 and 695 at the middle age range (36-40) for other qualifications, higher degrees and first degrees, respectively.
Following middle age, the weekly wages of employees holding three types of degrees had different fluctuations. At 60 years old, the figure that witnessed a sizable fall, from 820 to 690, was from graduates with other qualifications. In contrast, earnings of higher degree holders rose steadily to 790 for ages of 56-60, making a noticeable difference in income compared to the other two groups. At the oldest age group, the weekly income of workers with first degrees stayed consistent and was slightly less than that of other degree graduates.