TAIPEI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- New college graduates in Taiwan have lowered their expectations for starting salaries for the third consecutive year as the graduation season nears, according to a recent survey.

On average, college graduates hoped for a starting monthly salary of 31,085 new Taiwan dollars (about 990 U.S. dollars), according to a survey conducted by 1111 Job Bank, a job service website in Taiwan.

The expected starting salary for those who have a background in mathematics, physics and chemistry education is 40,909 new Taiwan dollars, the highest among all, followed by those who study medicine and health and engineering-related graduates, with a salary expectation of 34,486 and 33,667 new Taiwan dollars, respectively.

Graduates who major in sports, sightseeing and catering only expected a starting salary of 28,221 new Taiwan dollars, the survey showed.

A total of 1,233 questionnaires were collected during the survey from May 22 to June 5.