University education pays off according to the Paylab.com international portal. This analysis has found that the level of attained education is a key factor influencing the salary and salary growth of individuals during their lifetime. Graduate employees earn up to half more than the monthly average of those with secondary school education. Pay grows with increasing employee age - with a more dynamic career pay progression. In terms of lifetime earnings, graduates‘ salary advantage gap will typically never be narrowed by secondary school leavers.

Differences in the salaries of employees with varying educational levels are present from the beginning of careers. In the 17-24 age group, a graduate employee in the countries surveyed earns 34% more on average than those with completed secondary education.

The pay gap increases with age as the salaries of graduates increases more dynamically. In the 35-44 age group this difference is significant, when graduates have a head start compared with secondary school leavers in the countries surveyed by up to 73 percent, and up to 83 percent in the 45-54 age group.

Such salary received by graduate employees throughout their careers cannot be matched in terms of total income for employees with secondary school education.

GRAPH PAY BOOST: The pay gap based on educational attainment is present from an early age - most at 45-54 years of age. In some countries, graduate employees of this age earn twice as much on average as employees with secondary school education.

University graduates have more dynamic wage growth throughout their careers

University graduates can expect more significant salary increases up to 45 years of age. Secondary school graduates' progressive period with the best chance of improved pay is shorter - only up to 35 years of age. The age cut-off point for wage growth is therefore higher for university graduates compared to those with secondary school education.

In practice this means that while employees with secondary school education have slowed their pay growth by 35 years of age, the salaries of university graduates not only continue to grow but the salary gains are also much larger.

This trend of variations in salary growth based on educational attainment has been reported by Paylab.com in all monitored countries where it operates localized pay platforms. Read more in Paylab Newsroom.