The graphs illustrate the percentages of graduates securing full-time employment following graduation from Australian universities, divided into mathematics graduates and other graduates, alongside the average salaries for both groups over the period from 2004 to 2012.
Overall, mathematics graduates consistently exhibited higher employment rates than their counterparts throughout the given period. Although the employment rate for mathematics graduates remained relatively stable, the rate for other graduates initially increased before experiencing a gradual decline. In terms of salary, mathematics graduates not only earned significantly more than other graduates but also saw a steady rise in their income over the years.
Specifically, the percentage of mathematics graduates employed full-time began at approximately 80% in 2004, experienced a slight dip in 2006, and subsequently stabilized near this level through to 2012. In contrast, the employment rate for other graduates, which started at a lower figure of around 65%, rose sharply to about 90% in 2006 and 2008, before declining again to roughly 65% by 2012.
With regard to earnings, mathematics graduates started with an average salary of $41,000 in 2004, which progressively increased to $56,000 in 2012. Conversely, other graduates, although beginning at the same salary level, witnessed slower growth, reaching only $51,000 by 2012. This data suggests that not only were mathematics graduates afforded more stable employment opportunities but their financial prospects were also comparatively better throughout the period examined.