Curious about where to start your career with a mathematics degree? We’ve got you covered. We’ve analyzed data on job opportunities, salaries, and living costs to find the top cities in the UK for maths graduates. Here’s our list of the best places to kickstart your career (and the three you may want to avoid).
1. Leeds
Leeds tops the list with an index score of 78.53 out of 100. The average salary for maths-related jobs here is £44,916, which is 37% higher than the city’s average salary. Living costs are manageable, with only 54% of the salary expected to be spent on household expenses, making it an excellent choice for new graduates.
2. Manchester
Manchester follows closely with a score of 77.83 out of 100. This city offers 2,192 maths-related job opportunities, and the average salary is £42,331, 33% higher than the city’s average. With 62% of this salary spent on household expenses, Manchester is a vibrant and affordable city for graduates.
3. London
London ranks third with a score of 75.26 out of 100. The capital offers the highest average salary for maths-related roles at £55,443, 40% above the national average. Despite the higher living costs, only 58% of the salary is spent on household expenses, making it an attractive option for graduates.
4. Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough has a final score of 72.19 out of 100. The average salary for maths graduates here is £40,101, which is 46% higher than the town’s average salary. With 55% of this salary expected to be spent on living costs, Middlesbrough offers a good balance of earnings and affordability.
5. Birmingham
Birmingham scores 70.37 out of 100. The average salary for maths-related jobs is £43,664, which is 41% higher than the city’s average salary. With 61% of this salary spent on household expenses, Birmingham is a strong contender for new graduates.
6. York
York scores 69.07 out of 100. Maths graduates here earn an average of £42,599, 28% more than the city’s average salary. With 57% of this salary expected to be spent on living costs, York is both historic and affordable for new professionals.
7. Cardiff
Cardiff, with a score of 68.31 out of 100, offers an average salary of £43,967 for maths-related roles, 32% higher than the city’s average. With 55% of this salary spent on household expenses, Cardiff combines a vibrant culture with good earnings potential.
8. Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne scores 66.28 out of 100. The average salary for maths jobs here is £40,598, which is 29% higher than the city’s average salary. With only 54% of this salary spent on living costs, Newcastle is a great choice for affordability and job opportunities.
9. Blackburn
Blackburn scores 64.54 out of 100. Maths graduates here earn an average of £40,528, 45% higher than the city’s average salary. With 65% of this salary spent on household expenses, Blackburn offers a reasonable cost of living.
10. Nottingham
Nottingham rounds out the top ten with a score of 63.94 out of 100. The average salary for maths-related jobs is £38,761, 49% higher than the city’s average salary. With 70% of this salary spent on living costs, Nottingham is an attractive option for new graduates.
11. Cambridge
Cambridge scores 63.63 out of 100. Maths graduates here earn an average of £45,515, 8% more than the city’s average salary. With 63% of this salary expected to be spent on living costs, Cambridge offers a prestigious and balanced lifestyle for new professionals.
12. Sunderland
Sunderland scores 62.55 out of 100. The average salary for maths-related jobs is £39,494, which is 38% higher than the city’s average salary. With 55% of this salary spent on household expenses, Sunderland is an affordable and welcoming city for graduates.
The Worst Places for Maths Graduates to Live in 2024
While some cities are great for starting a career, others aren’t as promising. Here are the three worst places for maths graduates to live, based on the most recent data available.
Poole
Poole ranks as the worst place with a score of 19.62 out of 100. The average salary for maths-related jobs here is £34,265, 13% below the national average, and only 2% higher than the average wage for all other jobs in the city. Additionally, 84% of this salary is expected to be spent on household expenses.
Maidstone
Maidstone scores 22.28 out of 100. In this town, maths graduates are paid £35,856, which is 1% less than other jobs on average. With 91% of this salary expected to go towards household expenses, Maidstone is an expensive and less attractive option for graduates.
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea scores 22.63 out of 100. The average salary for maths-related jobs is £36,477, which is 3% higher than the town’s average salary. However, 79% of this salary is expected to be spent on living costs, making it one of the least favorable places for maths graduates.
Methodology
We analyzed data provided by CalcWorkshop and Reed on the number of maths-related jobs advertised, average salaries, the percentage increase of a maths-related salary compared to the city’s average, and the percentage of the salary spent on household expenses. Each factor was weighted equally to determine the final index score.
Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
