Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Hampshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Hampshire, 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 36 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Hampshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Hampshire 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 | £41,000 £34,000–£49,500 | £58,500 £47,500–£74,000 | £48,000 £40,500–£59,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £44,000 £35,000–£52,500 | £47,500 £39,000–£57,000 | £66,500 £53,000–£85,500 | £55,500 £46,500–£68,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £51,000 £40,500–£61,500 | £55,500 £45,000–£66,500 | £77,500 £60,500–£102,500 | £65,000 £52,000–£81,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £60,500 £46,000–£75,000 | £64,500 £51,000–£80,000 | £93,000 £71,000–£123,000 | £76,000 £59,000–£97,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £68,000 £52,500–£89,500 | £76,500 £59,500–£100,500 | £112,000 £83,500–£151,500 | £90,500 £69,500–£120,500 |
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 Hampshire. 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
£41,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £34,000–£49,500
8+ PQE: up to £100,500
City / National
£58,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £47,500–£74,000
8+ PQE: up to £151,500
In-house
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£59,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Hampshire 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 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£35,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £34,500 £31,000–£39,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£50,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£46,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£40,500 | £32,500 £28,500–£37,000 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £40,000 £34,500–£46,500 | £36,000 £31,500–£41,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 | £45,000 £38,000–£53,500 | £40,000 £34,000–£47,000 |
| 5+ years | £34,000 £30,000–£40,000 | £38,500 £32,500–£47,000 | £51,000 £42,500–£62,500 | £45,500 £38,000–£55,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in Hampshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Hampshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Wyeth & Paul Law Associates
Gosport
Abr Solicitors Limited
Also known as Clarion Advocates
Southampton
Ackroyd Legal (london) LLP
Also known as Ackroyd Legal LLP, Spencer Lockwood Solicitors
Southampton
Barry Culshaw
Southampton
Churchers Solicitors LLP
Portsmouth
Coomber Rich Limited
Fareham
D Young & Co Legal Services LLP
Southampton
Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP
Ringwood
Evenden Solicitors and Advocates
Fordingbridge
Footner & Ewing LLP
Southampton
Fulchers of Farnborough
Farnborough
Gammon Piercy & Gaiger LLP
Southampton
Hempsons LLP
Southampton
John Gaunt & Partners
Gosport
Larkhill Law Ltd
Winchester
Showing 15 of 36 firms. See all firms in Hampshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Hampshire?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Hampshire typically earn between £30,500 and £74,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £38,500, mid-size firms around £41,000 and City or national firms around £58,500.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Hampshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Hampshire typically earn between £40,500 and £102,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £51,000, mid-size around £55,500 and City or national firms around £77,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Hampshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Hampshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £38,500, while a City or national firm may pay £58,500 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 Hampshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Hampshire typically earn between £25,500 and £31,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £27,000 and mid-size firms around £28,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £30,000 to £42,000, with boutique firms around £33,000 and mid-size around £36,000, 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.