GRADUATES should settle in Scotland to get the highest salaries, according to research.

Analysis from more than 1.2 million live job ads reveals salaries average £24,927 - £1,889 more than the national average graduate salary across the UK (£23,038).

The smaller regions of Scotland were found to be outplaying their city giants when it comes to pay. North Lanarkshire’s average graduate salary sits at £28,256 and South Lanarkshire at £27,823 compared to Edinburgh (£25,017) and Glasgow (£23,849).

London had the highest number of job roles but the average graduate salary (only £300 more than national average) combined with the steep living costs negatively impacts quality of life.

The IT industry was found to offer the best balance for graduates, according to the research by job site Adzuna, while teaching provided the largest number of job opportunities but the lowest average graduate pay