Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Hertfordshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Hertfordshire, 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 40 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Hertfordshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire. 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 Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Hertfordshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Ahs Law
St. Albans
Aj Angelo Solicitors
Waltham Cross
Bac Law Limited
Also known as H P Gower Solicitors
Bishop's Stortford
Bailey Nicholson Grayson
Ware
Bk Law LLP
St. Albans
Brilliance Solicitors Ltd
Hatfield
Buxton Ryan & Co Solicitors
Sawbridgeworth
Cantaris Locke Solicitors
Bishop's Stortford
Cg Law Ltd
Watford
Chelian Law Limited
Watford
Conway & Company Solicitors Limited
Borehamwood
D F Noble Limited
Welwyn Garden City
De Jure Chambers Limited
Radlett
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)
Watford
G R Miles & Co
Stevenage
Showing 15 of 40 firms. See all firms in Hertfordshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Hertfordshire?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Hertfordshire, 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 Hertfordshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Hertfordshire 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.