Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Gloucestershire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Gloucestershire, 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 14 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Gloucestershire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Gloucestershire 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 | £37,500 £31,500–£45,500 | £54,000 £43,500–£68,000 | £44,500 £37,500–£54,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £40,500 £32,000–£48,500 | £44,000 £36,000–£52,500 | £61,000 £49,000–£78,500 | £51,000 £42,500–£63,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £47,000 £37,000–£56,500 | £51,000 £41,500–£61,000 | £71,500 £56,000–£94,000 | £59,500 £47,500–£75,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £55,500 £42,000–£69,000 | £59,500 £47,000–£73,500 | £85,500 £65,500–£113,500 | £70,000 £54,500–£89,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £62,500 £48,500–£82,000 | £70,500 £54,500–£92,500 | £103,000 £76,500–£139,500 | £83,500 £64,000–£110,500 |
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 Gloucestershire. 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
£37,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,500–£45,500
8+ PQE: up to £92,500
City / National
£54,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£68,000
8+ PQE: up to £139,500
In-house
£44,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £37,500–£54,500
8+ PQE: up to £110,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Gloucestershire 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 | £25,000 £23,500–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £27,000 £25,000–£30,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£36,500 | £29,500 £26,500–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £32,000 £28,500–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£38,500 | £38,500 £33,500–£46,000 | £36,000 £31,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£26,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 |
| 3-5 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,000–£34,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£43,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£38,500 |
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 | £26,000 £23,500–£29,000 | £32,500 £29,000–£37,500 | £30,000 £26,500–£34,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £25,000–£31,500 | £36,500 £32,000–£42,500 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,500 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £25,000–£31,500 | £31,500 £27,500–£36,000 | £41,500 £35,000–£49,500 | £36,500 £31,500–£43,500 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £27,500–£37,000 | £35,000 £29,500–£43,000 | £47,000 £39,000–£57,500 | £41,500 £35,000–£51,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Gloucestershire
Regulated criminal law firms in Gloucestershire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Allen Hoole Limited
Cheltenham
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Cheltenham
Christopher Davidson Solicitors LLP
Cheltenham
Hine Solicitors Limited
Cheltenham
Pembridge Solicitors Limited
Cheltenham
Poole Alcock LLP
Gloucester
Reeds Solicitors LLP
Gloucester
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
Cheltenham
Sherbornes Solicitors Limited
Cheltenham
Simon Burn Solicitors Limited
Cheltenham
Star Legal Limited
Also known as Star Legal & Star Legal Solicitors
Tewkesbury
United in Defence Ltd
Tewksbury
Waldrons Solicitors Ltd
Also known as Nbb Waldrons
Cheltenham
Wallis Solicitors Limited
Gloucester
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Gloucestershire?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Gloucestershire typically earn between £28,000 and £45,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £35,000 and mid-size firms around £37,500.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Gloucestershire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Gloucestershire typically earn between £37,000 and £61,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £47,000 and mid-size around £51,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Gloucestershire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Gloucestershire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £35,000, while a City or national firm may pay £54,000 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 Gloucestershire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Gloucestershire typically earn between £23,500 and £28,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £25,000 and mid-size firms around £26,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £27,500 to £38,500, with boutique firms around £30,500 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.