The table illustrates the average annual income of people working in six different sectors in 2004, and the change from 2003. Meanwhile, the pie chart shows the distribution of graduates in six different sectors.
Overall, the public services sector was the most attractive sector for graduates and also had the highest average salary in 2004. Moreover, the agriculture sector appeared to have the lowest pay, even though it was the second most popular sector among graduates. People in wholesale and retail trade had significant change and had the highest pay rise compared to 2003.
In the table, Public services topped the average salary, which provided an income of $92,000 in 2004 and increased 3.4% from the previous year. This sector also absorbed 30% of graduates, the highest rate of employment of all sectors. Contrary to public services, agriculture was the lowest paid one, offering an average income of only $40,000, reflecting a slight increase of 2.31%. However, this sector employed 25% of graduates – the second preferred choice.
The finance sector increased only 2.9% from 2003, with an average salary of $83,000. Although finance had a high income, it attracted only 5% of graduates, which was the lowest among all sectors. Meanwhile, manufacturing managed to employ 20% of graduates, despite a lower income of $52,000 and a 4% increase from 2003.
Workers in the transportation sector earned $81,000 in 2004, which increased 4.5% from 2003. This sector could only employ at the rate of 10% of graduates. With the same 10% of graduates recruited, the wholesale and retail trade sector had a lower average salary than transportation, which is $4,000 less, but when compared to the previous year, it was by far the highest percentage increase at 8.4%.