The average starting salary for Chinese college graduates in 2010 increased 10 percent year on year, a survey showed.

The survey published Friday by Zhaopin.com, one of China's largest human resources companies, showed the average monthly starting salary for college graduates was 2,694 yuan (397 U.S. dollars) this year.

Some 5,866 firms responded to the survey.

Salaries for graduates with bachelor degrees increased 14 percent year on year.

Financial firms paid the highest monthly salaries to new recruits - 3,027 yuan.

Second came IT and property industry employers. They paid 2,901 yuan and 2,771 yuan, respectively.

European and American owned enterprises paid the highest monthly salaries - 3,678 yuan.

Starting wages at foreign joint ventures and state-owned enterprises were also relatively high.

Analysts said the salary increases resulted from the nation's economic rebound.