The 1st job survey X2018 graduating class : Promising career beginnings

With an excellent integration rate - 93% of X2018 graduates got a job within six months of graduation, mainly in the IT, industry and consulting sectors - École polytechnique confirms the attractiveness of its training, while maintaining a diversity of career paths between corporate careers, doctorates, public involvement and entrepreneurship.

Remise des diplômes de la promotion X2018

16 Apr. 2025

Education, Ingénieur Polytechnicien

École Polytechnique once again confirms the excellence of its Cycle ingénieur polytechnicien program with the results of the 2025 1st job survey. Carried out among graduates of the X2018 class, this study highlights rapid professional integration, diversified opportunities and strong attractiveness on the job market.

Fast and smooth access to the job market

Of the 523 graduates contacted (410 French, 113 international), 64% responded to the survey. A striking result: 93% of graduates were in employment within six months of graduation, with 74% hired even before the end of their 4th year. These figures confirm the match between Polytechnic training and market expectations.

Mainly corporate careers

Half of all young engineers choose to start their careers in companies: 63% work in IT, industry or digital, while 17% join consulting firms and 16% the financial sector. The average gross annual salary in France is €56,000, excluding bonuses.

Remarkably, 83% are recruited on permanent contracts, and more than a quarter are hired by a company where they had already completed an internship.

Carreer starts abroad

Of the 50% of graduates who join a company, three quarters work in France, while the United States and the United Kingdom remain the preferred destinations abroad, attracting 8% and 6% of graduates hired by companies respectively. More international graduates start their carreers in North America (19%) than in France (8%).

The appeal of research

Nearly 30% of young graduates choose the path of research, with a third of doctorates completed abroad. The most popular disciplines are physics (26%), applied mathematics (17%) and computer science (15%). PhD students earn an average of €35,000 gross per year.

Entrepreneurial spirit and public sector commitment

Five graduates have chosen to set up their own business, mainly in the digital sector, with a strong reliance on incubators. In addition, 17% of young engineers are involved in public service or government bodies, confirming graduates' keen interest in careers in the public sector.

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