BEIJING — China’s fresh higher education graduates are increasingly choosing their first jobs in emerging first-tier cities like Chengdu and Hangzhou as local governments move to attract talented professionals, according to a recent survey.

Over half of fresh graduates surveyed with education levels ranging from junior college to postgraduate, plan to work in emerging first-tier cities, according to a report.

Beijing tops as the most popular work destination, followed by Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu. Job opportunities, economic growth and development potential are the top factors influencing graduates’ decisions, not salary.

IT, communications and finance are the most popular sectors for new job-seekers, the report showed.

The average expected monthly salary is 7,116 yuan ($1,076.2), while that for Beijing is 9,982 yuan per month, the highest among all cities.

The majority of respondents preferred their monthly housing rent to be below 2,000 yuan.

China is expected to see about 8.2 million graduates of different levels in higher education this year.