Lots of graduates and people early in their career are feeling understandably anxious about the job market right now.

Wages have stagnated, and while the rise in the minimum wage is positive and long overdue, graduate salaries haven’t kept up.

Our early experiences shape what we think “fair pay” looks like. Many managers still see £27–30k as reasonable for an entry-level role, yet in 2025 the full-time London Living Wage is already close to £29k.

It’s a conversation employers and higher education organisations really need to be having. Going to university is a huge investment, and many young people are feeling stuck between rising living costs and starting salaries that no longer match reality.

I was grateful for the chance to share more of my thoughts on salary expectations in a recent article with The Times (subscription may be required).

So how do I know what salary I deserve?

Figuring out what you deserve to be paid is tricky, because ultimately only you can decide what feels acceptable for you. In my experience, people are far more likely to secure a salary that reflects their worth through networking, rather than relying on cold applications alone.

How do I know what roles pay if a salary is not listed?

So many job adverts still avoid listing a salary altogether, hiding behind the very vague label of “competitive.” It is frustrating, because “competitive” tells you nothing, and often leads candidates to spend time applying for roles that are either way above or way below their level.

To get a clearer picture of what a specific role pays, or what a certain career path might offer, you can research similar jobs online using platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor or Reed. Just keep in mind that salaries vary a lot depending on industry, company size and location. Some job titles, such as “Project Manager,” can also cover a huge variety of responsibilities, so try to focus on the job description rather than the title alone.

You can also ask tools like ChatGPT for a rough salary estimate based on the role you are considering. It can be a helpful starting point, but make sure you take the numbers with a pinch of salt.

Want more advice? Take a look at this article on how to negotiate a pay rise.

Curious to reflect more? Read this article on whether you can work to live, or live to work.