The line graph and the table illustrate the proportions of Australian graduates who secured full-time jobs, and the average salary of mathematics graduates compared with other graduates over the period between 2004 and 2012.
Overall, the proportion of mathematics graduates remained stable, whereas that of other graduates fluctuated throughout the period. Both groups earned the same wage at the beginning and showed upward trends; however, the pay of mathematics graduates ultimately surpassed that of others.
The proportion of mathematics graduates remained steady, beginning at slightly above 75%, rising marginally until 2008, and then falling back to approximately 75% by 2012. A relatively small variation was observed in the share of other graduates; it started below 75%, rose to just above 75% by 2006 and gradually dropped below 75% at the end of the period. Despite the different trajectories, both groups ended at roughly the same level as they began.
With regard to salary, both groups earned identical figures in 2004 and 2006, at 41,000 and 43,000 dollars respectively. From 2006 onwards, mathematics graduates experienced significant growth, with salaries rose from 43,000 to 44,000 in 2010 and then surged to 56,000 by 2012. Although a steady upward trend was also observed among other graduates, their salaries rose more modestly, from 41,000 in 2004 to 51,000 in 2012.