Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Cambridgeshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Cambridgeshire, 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 28 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Cambridgeshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Cambridgeshire 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) | £35,000 £28,000–£42,000 | £37,000 £31,000–£45,000 | £53,500 £43,000–£67,500 | £44,000 £37,000–£54,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £40,000 £31,500–£48,000 | £43,500 £35,500–£52,000 | £60,500 £48,500–£77,500 | £50,500 £42,000–£62,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £46,500 £36,500–£56,000 | £50,500 £41,000–£60,500 | £70,500 £55,000–£93,000 | £59,000 £47,000–£74,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £55,000 £42,000–£68,000 | £59,000 £46,500–£72,500 | £84,500 £64,500–£112,000 | £69,000 £54,000–£88,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £62,000 £48,000–£81,000 | £69,500 £54,000–£91,500 | £101,500 £76,000–£138,000 | £82,500 £63,000–£109,500 |
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 Cambridgeshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£35,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £28,000–£42,000
8+ PQE: up to £81,000
Regional / Mid-size
£37,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,000–£45,000
8+ PQE: up to £91,500
City / National
£53,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,000–£67,500
8+ PQE: up to £138,000
In-house
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £37,000–£54,000
8+ PQE: up to £109,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Cambridgeshire 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 | £24,500 £23,500–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £26,000–£32,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£36,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £25,500–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £34,500 £30,500–£40,000 | £32,000 £28,000–£36,500 |
| 5+ years | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,000 | £38,000 £33,000–£45,500 | £35,500 £31,000–£42,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £24,500 £23,500–£26,500 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,000 | £26,000 £24,000–£28,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,000–£28,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£34,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,000 |
| 3-5 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£30,000 | £33,000 £29,000–£37,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,500 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,500 £23,500–£28,500 | £32,500 £28,500–£37,000 | £29,500 £26,000–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£27,500 | £28,000 £25,000–£31,000 | £36,000 £31,500–£42,000 | £33,000 £28,500–£38,000 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £25,000–£31,000 | £31,000 £27,000–£35,500 | £41,000 £34,500–£48,500 | £36,000 £31,000–£43,000 |
| 5+ years | £31,000 £27,000–£36,500 | £35,000 £29,500–£42,500 | £46,500 £39,000–£57,000 | £41,000 £34,500–£50,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in Cambridgeshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Cambridgeshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Andersons Legal Services Ltd
Also known as Andersons Solicitors
Peterborough
B D Solicitors Limited
Peterborough
Birketts LLP
Cambridge
Cartwright King Solicitors Ltd
Peterborough
Credence Law Limited
Also known as Credence Law Group
Cambridge
De Jure Chambers Limited
Waterbeach
Franklins Law Leighton Buzzard Limited
Peterborough
Hunt & Coombs LLP
Peterborough
Jeremy Roberts & Co
Peterborough
M.y. Solicitors
Peterborough
Metcalfe Copeman & Pettefar LLP
Ely
Mishcon De Reya LLP
Cambridge
Mlc Legal Services Ltd
Also known as Mlc Legal, Mc Solicitors
Peterborough
Oslers
Cambridge
Pepperells Ltd
Peterborough
Showing 15 of 28 firms. See all firms in Cambridgeshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Cambridgeshire?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Cambridgeshire typically earn between £28,000 and £67,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £35,000, mid-size firms around £37,000 and City or national firms around £53,500.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Cambridgeshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Cambridgeshire typically earn between £36,500 and £93,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £46,500, mid-size around £50,500 and City or national firms around £70,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Cambridgeshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Cambridgeshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £35,000, while a City or national firm may pay £53,500 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 Cambridgeshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Cambridgeshire typically earn between £23,500 and £28,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £24,500 and mid-size firms around £26,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £27,500 to £38,000, with boutique firms around £30,000 and mid-size around £33,000, 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.