Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Bristol 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Bristol, from newly qualified (NQ) through to 8+ PQE, broken down by firm size. Includes paralegal, legal secretary and fee earner ranges. Data is based on market benchmarking across 21 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Bristol→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Bristol by experience level and firm type. Mid-point figures shown; hover or expand for full range.
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly qualified (0-1 PQE) | £37,500 £30,000–£45,000 | £40,000 £33,500–£48,500 | £57,500 £46,500–£72,500 | £47,000 £40,000–£58,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £43,000 £34,000–£51,500 | £46,500 £38,500–£56,000 | £65,000 £52,000–£83,500 | £54,500 £45,500–£67,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £50,000 £39,500–£60,500 | £54,000 £44,000–£65,000 | £76,000 £59,500–£100,500 | £63,500 £51,000–£80,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £59,000 £45,000–£73,500 | £63,500 £50,000–£78,500 | £91,000 £69,500–£120,500 | £74,500 £58,000–£95,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £66,500 £51,500–£87,500 | £75,000 £58,500–£98,500 | £109,500 £81,500–£148,500 | £89,000 £68,000–£118,000 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How criminal law solicitor pay varies across firm types in Bristol. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£37,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £30,000–£45,000
8+ PQE: up to £87,500
Regional / Mid-size
£40,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £33,500–£48,500
8+ PQE: up to £98,500
City / National
£57,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,500–£72,500
8+ PQE: up to £148,500
In-house
£47,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,000–£58,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Bristol criminal law teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.
Paralegal
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£38,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,000 £27,500–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 | £37,000 £33,000–£43,000 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 | £41,000 £36,000–£49,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£45,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,500–£27,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 |
| 3-5 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£32,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£40,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 |
| 5+ years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£45,000 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £23,500–£27,500 | £27,500 £25,000–£31,000 | £35,000 £30,500–£40,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£36,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £24,500–£29,500 | £30,000 £26,500–£33,500 | £39,000 £34,000–£45,500 | £35,500 £31,000–£41,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,000 £26,500–£33,500 | £33,500 £29,000–£38,500 | £44,000 £37,000–£52,500 | £39,000 £33,500–£46,000 |
| 5+ years | £33,500 £29,000–£39,000 | £37,500 £31,500–£46,000 | £50,000 £42,000–£61,500 | £44,500 £37,000–£54,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in Bristol
Regulated criminal law firms in Bristol on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Abr Solicitors Limited
Also known as Clarion Advocates
Bristol
Allen Hoole Limited
Bristol
Birketts LLP
Bristol
Bobbetts MacKan
Bristol
Burges Salmon LLP
Bristol
Commons Law Community Interest Company
Also known as Commons
Bristol
Dac Beachcroft Claims Limited
Also known as 8 Dac Beachcroft Buildings
Bristol
Elite Solicitors Limited
Bristol
Fountain Solicitors Limited
Bristol
Kelcey & Hall
Bristol
Kidwells Law Solicitors Limited
Bristol
Poole Alcock LLP
Bristol
Reeds Solicitors LLP
Bristol
Richard Nelson LLP
Also known as Skiddaw Legal Consultancy Ltd, Keepmedriving, Aps Law Limited, Gillbanks Family Law, Medic Assistance Scheme, Lawyers Defence Group, Murdochs, Mjh Law Ltd, Murdochs Professional Discipline, Sportslaw Advice, Gail Cook Family Law, Deberne Legal Ltd, Knorpel Limited
Bristol
Sansbury Douglas
Bristol
Showing 15 of 21 firms. See all firms in Bristol
Check your own salary
Use LawBoard's free salary benchmark to get a personalised benchmark for your role, experience level, and location. Create a profile to save your result and track target firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Bristol?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Bristol typically earn between £30,000 and £48,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £37,500 and mid-size firms around £40,000.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Bristol?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Bristol typically earn between £39,500 and £65,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £50,000 and mid-size around £54,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Bristol?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Bristol, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £37,500, while a City or national firm may pay £57,500 or more. The premium widens at senior levels, where large firms can pay substantially above regional norms.
What is the salary for a paralegal in Bristol in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Bristol typically earn between £25,000 and £30,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £26,500 and mid-size firms around £28,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £29,500 to £41,000, with boutique firms around £32,500 and mid-size around £35,500, based on 2026 benchmarking data.
Where does LawBoard salary data come from?
LawBoard salary benchmarks are derived from market data covering law firms registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Figures are adjusted for region and practice area using established market multipliers. They represent typical ranges for guidance only and are updated periodically.
Related Pages
Firm data sourced from the Solicitors Regulation Authority register. Salary benchmarks are regional estimates for guidance only and are not specific to any individual firm. Recruitment support available via RecQuest.