Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Merseyside 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Merseyside, 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 29 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Merseyside→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Merseyside 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 | £42,000 £33,500–£50,500 | £48,000 £38,500–£57,500 | £44,000 £35,500–£52,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £44,000 £35,000–£52,500 | £48,000 £38,500–£58,000 | £55,000 £44,000–£66,000 | £50,000 £40,000–£61,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £51,000 £40,500–£61,500 | £56,000 £44,500–£68,000 | £64,000 £50,500–£77,000 | £58,500 £46,500–£71,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £60,500 £46,000–£75,000 | £66,500 £50,500–£82,500 | £75,500 £57,500–£93,500 | £69,500 £52,500–£86,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £68,000 £52,500–£89,500 | £75,000 £58,000–£98,000 | £85,000 £66,000–£112,000 | £78,000 £61,000–£102,500 |
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 Merseyside. 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
£42,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £33,500–£50,500
8+ PQE: up to £98,000
City / National
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £112,000
In-house
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,500–£52,500
8+ PQE: up to £102,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Merseyside 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 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £29,500–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £32,000–£38,500 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £38,000 £34,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £29,500 £28,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £31,500 £29,000–£35,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£36,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£36,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £34,000 £30,000–£40,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£46,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Merseyside
Regulated criminal law firms in Merseyside on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Bdh Solicitors Limited
Birkenhead
Bell Lamb & Joynson
Liverpool
Bj & Co Solicitors Limited
Also known as Brian Jackson & Co
Liverpool
Brown Turner Ross Limited
Southport
Canters Crime Ltd
Liverpool
Chris Saltrese Solicitors
Also known as Drm Legal, Injury Claims First, Cjs Solicitors, Pcp Claim Services, Energy Claim Services, Pba Claim Services, Plevin Ppi Claim Services
Southport
Christopher Mantle and Co Limited
Prescot
Cobleys Solicitors Ltd
Also known as Knotweedhelp.com
Liverpool
Davison Flynn Duke Solicitors LLP
Birkenhead
Frank Roe Solicitors
St. Helens
Haworth & Gallagher
Birkenhead
Haygarth Jones Solicitors
St. Helens
Ims Law Limited
St. Helens
J Keith Park Solicitors
Also known as Keith Park Solicitors, Kps
St. Helens
Jackson Lees Group Ltd
Also known as Jackson Lees, Broudie Jackson Canter, Farrington Law
Liverpool
Showing 15 of 29 firms. See all firms in Merseyside
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Merseyside?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Merseyside earns between £33,500 and £50,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £42,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Merseyside?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Merseyside earns between £44,500 and £68,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £56,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Merseyside?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Merseyside, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £38,500, while a City or national firm may pay £48,000 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 Merseyside in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Merseyside start at around £27,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £40,000 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.