2.17 A degree qualification continues to provide an advantage in accessing higher-paying jobs. The median income for full-time employed degree holders ($9,038) was higher than the median income for all full-time employed residents ($5,775), as most were in professional, managerial & executive Professional Services.18 Similar to the trends at the overall, real income growth of full-time employed degree holders has slowed over the recent two five-year periods due to higher inflation, 2025: 4.0% per annum (p.a.)) compared to the preceding five-year period (2015 to 2020: degree graduates. Relative to their degree counterparts, young local polytechnic diploma holders the labour force to further their studies.19 17 Close to eight in ten or 78.9% of full-time employed resident degree holders held PME roles in 2025. holders worked in, employing nearly three in ten (28.3%) in 2025. 19 Among those aged 25 to 29, 15.0% of local polytechnic diploma holders and 7.3% of local Nitec graduates were outside the labour force to pursue education/training in 2025, up from 7.7% and 3.0% respectively in 2015.