Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Dorset 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Dorset, 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 7 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Dorset→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Dorset 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 | £38,500 £31,000–£46,500 | £44,000 £35,000–£53,000 | £40,500 £32,500–£48,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £40,500 £32,000–£48,500 | £44,000 £35,000–£53,000 | £50,500 £40,500–£60,500 | £46,000 £37,000–£56,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £47,000 £37,000–£56,500 | £51,500 £41,000–£62,500 | £58,500 £46,500–£71,000 | £54,000 £42,500–£65,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £55,500 £42,000–£69,000 | £61,000 £46,500–£76,000 | £69,500 £53,000–£86,000 | £63,500 £48,500–£79,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £62,500 £48,500–£82,000 | £69,000 £53,000–£90,500 | £78,000 £60,500–£103,000 | £72,000 £56,000–£94,000 |
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 Dorset. 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 £82,000
Regional / Mid-size
£38,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,000–£46,500
8+ PQE: up to £90,500
City / National
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£53,000
8+ PQE: up to £103,000
In-house
£40,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £32,500–£48,500
8+ PQE: up to £94,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Dorset 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 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£32,500 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 |
| 5+ years | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,000 £31,500–£39,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £26,000–£28,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £26,500–£29,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,000 £27,000–£31,500 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£28,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£28,000 | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £32,500 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £27,500–£37,000 | £34,000 £29,500–£39,500 | £34,000 £29,500–£39,500 | £36,000 £31,500–£42,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Dorset
Regulated criminal law firms in Dorset on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP
Swanage
Hurleys Solicitors Limited
Bournemouth
Jordan Williams Law Limited
Also known as Traffic Solicitor Dorset
Wimborne
Owen & Sharpe Solicitors
Bridport
Preston Redman LLP
Bournemouth
Simon Lacey Law Associates
Weymouth
Waters Moore
Also known as Waters Moore at the Law Chambers
Poole
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Dorset?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Dorset earns between £31,000 and £46,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £38,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Dorset?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Dorset earns between £41,000 and £62,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £51,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Dorset?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Dorset, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £35,000, while a City or national firm may pay £44,000 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 Dorset in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Dorset start at around £25,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £37,000 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.