GeraLearn / Degree salary comparison
Chemistry vs Biosciences: Graduate Salary Compared
Five years after graduating, UK Chemistry graduates earn more — a median £35,400 vs £31,400 for Biosciences. That is £4,000 more (13%). Real DfE LEO figures, 2022-23 tax year.
Quick answer
Chemistry pays more than Biosciences: a 5-year median of £35,400 versus £31,400 — a £4,000 (13%) gap. Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes).
Earnings compared, side by side
Median gross annual earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates, 2022-23 tax year.
| Measure | Chemistry | Biosciences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year after graduation | £26,300 | £23,000 |
| Lower quartile (5yr) | £28,800 | £24,800 |
| Median (5yr) | £35,400 | £31,400 |
| Upper quartile (5yr) | £46,700 | £40,200 |
| Rank (of 34 subjects) | #11 | #19 |
| Graduates in cohort | 3,365 | 10,430 |
Ranks are by 5-year median earnings across all 34 DfE CAH level-1 subject groups.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Chemistry or Biosciences pay more after graduation?
- Chemistry pays more. Five years after graduation, UK graduates of Chemistry earn a median £35,400 versus £31,400 for Biosciences — a difference of £4,000 (13% more). Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 tax year.
- What do Chemistry graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Chemistry graduates earn a median £26,300 one year after graduation and a median £35,400 five years after — with most earning between £28,800 and £46,700 (lower–upper quartile). That is £4,000 (13%) above the all-subject median of £31,400.
- What do Biosciences graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Biosciences graduates earn a median £23,000 one year after graduation and a median £31,400 five years after — with most earning between £24,800 and £40,200 (lower–upper quartile). That is exactly the all-subject median.
- Where do these graduate-salary figures come from?
- From the Department for Education's LEO (Longitudinal Education Outcomes) release, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes). They are median gross annual earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates in sustained employment, measured in the 2022-23 tax year, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians — half of graduates earned less and half more; subject choice does not guarantee any individual salary.
Related comparisons
Data: DfE LEO Graduate Outcomes, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes). Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for graduates in sustained employment and do not guarantee individual earnings. A Gera Systems product.