Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Buckinghamshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Buckinghamshire, 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 10 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Buckinghamshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Buckinghamshire 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) | £38,500 £30,500–£46,000 | £42,000 £33,500–£50,500 | £48,000 £38,500–£57,500 | £44,000 £35,500–£52,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £44,000 £35,000–£52,500 | £48,000 £38,500–£58,000 | £55,000 £44,000–£66,000 | £50,000 £40,000–£61,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £51,000 £40,500–£61,500 | £56,000 £44,500–£68,000 | £64,000 £50,500–£77,000 | £58,500 £46,500–£71,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £60,500 £46,000–£75,000 | £66,500 £50,500–£82,500 | £75,500 £57,500–£93,500 | £69,500 £52,500–£86,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £68,000 £52,500–£89,500 | £75,000 £58,000–£98,000 | £85,000 £66,000–£112,000 | £78,000 £61,000–£102,500 |
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 Buckinghamshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£38,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £30,500–£46,000
8+ PQE: up to £89,500
Regional / Mid-size
£42,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £33,500–£50,500
8+ PQE: up to £98,000
City / National
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £112,000
In-house
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,500–£52,500
8+ PQE: up to £102,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Buckinghamshire 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 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £29,500–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £32,000–£38,500 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £38,000 £34,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £29,500 £28,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £31,500 £29,000–£35,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£36,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£36,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £34,000 £30,000–£40,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£46,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Buckinghamshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Buckinghamshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Bastian Lloyd Morris LLP
Milton Keynes
Blaser Mills LLP
Also known as Reynolds Parry Jones, The Lpa Solicitor, Chiltern Legal
Marlow
Criminal Defence Milton Keynes Solicitors Ltd
Milton Keynes
Dass Legal Solutions (mk) Law Ltd
Also known as Dls Law (practising Style for Dass Legal Solutions (mk) Law Ltd)
Milton Keynes
Emw Law LLP
Also known as Emw (practising Style for - Emw Law Llp), Sp Law (practising Style for Emw Law LLP Northampton Office), Penman Sedgwick (practising Style for Emw Law LLP Watford Office)
Milton Keynes
Hine Solicitors Limited
Beaconsfield
Pickup & Scott
Aylesbury
Sbs Solicitors Limited
Milton Keynes
Svs Solicitors Limited
Gerrards Cross
Vangan Ltd
Milton Keynes
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Buckinghamshire?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Buckinghamshire earns between £33,500 and £50,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £42,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Buckinghamshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Buckinghamshire earns between £44,500 and £68,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £56,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Buckinghamshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Buckinghamshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £38,500, while a City or national firm may pay £48,000 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 Buckinghamshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Buckinghamshire start at around £27,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £40,000 or more with 5+ years of experience, 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.