Leeds and Manchester named top cities for maths graduates in 2024
A new study has identified Leeds as the top city for mathematics graduates in the United Kingdom to begin their careers in 2024, with Manchester following closely behind. The research, conducted by the education platform Calcworkshop, evaluated various factors to determine the most promising locations for young professionals holding a mathematics degree.
The study analysed data from Reed.com, focusing on key metrics such as the number of maths-related job opportunities, average salaries for these positions, the percentage increase in maths-related salaries compared to other jobs, and the proportion of income expected to be spent on living costs in each city. These factors were weighted equally to produce an overall index score out of 100, ranking the cities accordingly.
Leeds: The top choice
Leeds emerged as the best city for maths graduates, scoring 78.53 out of 100. The city's average salary for maths-related roles is £44,916, which is 13% higher than the national average. Residents in Leeds are expected to spend 54% of this salary on household expenses, a figure that is 23% lower than the average for other cities, making it an attractive option for new graduates seeking to balance income with cost of living.
Manchester ranks second
With an index score of 77.83 out of 100, Manchester ranks as the second-best city for maths graduates. As of June 2024, Manchester had 505% more maths-related job postings than other cities, totalling 2,192 available positions. The average salary for these roles is £42,331, representing a 33% increase over the city's average salary for all jobs.
London comes in third
London, often seen as the epicentre of job opportunities, ranks third with an index score of 75.26 out of 100. The capital boasts the highest average salary for maths-related jobs at £55,443, which is 40% above the national average. However, living costs are correspondingly higher, with 58% of the salary expected to be allocated towards household expenditures, though this is still 18% below the national benchmark.
Other notable cities
Middlesbrough and Birmingham round out the top five, with index scores of 72.19 and 70.37 out of 100, respectively. In Middlesbrough, maths graduates can expect to earn an average of £40,101, which is 46% higher than the average salary for all jobs in the town. Meanwhile, Birmingham offers an average salary of £43,664 for maths-related roles, 41% above the city’s average for all positions.
York, Cardiff, and Newcastle upon Tyne also feature in the top ten, with index scores ranging from 69.07 to 66.28. These cities provide competitive salaries and relatively manageable living costs, making them viable options for graduates starting their careers in the field of mathematics.
Cities to avoid
At the other end of the spectrum, Poole ranks as the least favourable city for maths graduates in 2024, with a final index score of just 19.62 out of 100. Here, the average salary for maths-related jobs is £34,265, which is 13% below the national average. The salary is only marginally higher than the average wage for all other jobs in the city.
Maidstone and Southend-on-Sea also rank poorly, with index scores of 22.28 and 22.63, respectively. In these areas, maths graduates face lower-than-average salaries and higher living costs, making them less appealing destinations for those starting out in the profession.
