GeraLearn / Degree salary comparison
Mathematical sciences vs Physics and astronomy: Graduate Salary Compared
Five years after graduating, UK Physics and astronomy graduates earn more — a median £42,000 vs £41,600 for Mathematical sciences. That is £400 more (1%). Real DfE LEO figures, 2022-23 tax year.
Quick answer
Physics and astronomy pays more than Mathematical sciences: a 5-year median of £42,000 versus £41,600 — a £400 (1%) 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 | Mathematical sciences | Physics and astronomy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year after graduation | £28,500 | £29,200 |
| Lower quartile (5yr) | £31,400 | £32,500 |
| Median (5yr) | £41,600 | £42,000 |
| Upper quartile (5yr) | £56,900 | £58,000 |
| Rank (of 34 subjects) | #5 | #3 |
| Graduates in cohort | 6,230 | 3,060 |
Ranks are by 5-year median earnings across all 34 DfE CAH level-1 subject groups.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Mathematical sciences or Physics and astronomy pay more after graduation?
- Physics and astronomy pays more. Five years after graduation, UK graduates of Physics and astronomy earn a median £42,000 versus £41,600 for Mathematical sciences — a difference of £400 (1% more). Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 tax year.
- What do Mathematical sciences graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Mathematical sciences graduates earn a median £28,500 one year after graduation and a median £41,600 five years after — with most earning between £31,400 and £56,900 (lower–upper quartile). That is £10,200 (32%) above the all-subject median of £31,400.
- What do Physics and astronomy graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Physics and astronomy graduates earn a median £29,200 one year after graduation and a median £42,000 five years after — with most earning between £32,500 and £58,000 (lower–upper quartile). That is £10,600 (34%) above the all-subject median of £31,400.
- 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.