Computer software/hardware engineering and financial insurance industries pay the highest monthly starting salary for college graduates, more than 2,500 yuan (US$ 394) on average, according to a starting-salary report recently issued by Zhaopin.com, one of China's leading HR service providers.

The report, based on a survey of more than 3.3 million college graduates, analyzes the general situation of starting salaries of the graduates with different degrees from 18 industries in 24 cities between 2008 and 2011.

Also read: Top 10 cities for highest starting salaries

                  Top 10 highest-paid positions for graduates

Chemistry and petrochemistry, telecommunication and pharmaceutical sector also offer an average starting salary of nearly 2,000 yuan (US$ 315). In contrast, the wholesale and retail industry is ranked at the bottom.

Except the computer software/hardware engineering, more than 50 percent of recruits in the other industries have a starting salary lower than 2,000 yuan (US$ 315) on average, respectively. While the proportion for the wholesale and retail industry is more than 85 percent.

Following are the top ten industries offering the highest monthly starting salary to new graduates in China:

   Real Estate/Construction/Decoration

 

Real Estate/Construction/Decoration [soufun.com]

Rank	Industry	Monthly Starting Salary on Average (yuan)
10	Real Estate/Construction/Decoration 房地產(chǎn)/建筑/裝潢	2,050