Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Oxfordshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Oxfordshire, 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 24 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Oxfordshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Oxfordshire 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) | £41,000 £32,500–£49,000 | £43,500 £36,500–£53,000 | £63,000 £50,500–£79,000 | £51,500 £43,500–£63,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £47,000 £37,500–£56,500 | £51,000 £42,000–£61,000 | £71,000 £57,000–£91,000 | £59,500 £49,500–£73,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £54,500 £43,000–£66,000 | £59,000 £48,000–£71,000 | £83,000 £65,000–£109,500 | £69,500 £55,500–£87,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £64,500 £49,000–£80,000 | £69,000 £54,500–£85,500 | £99,500 £76,000–£132,000 | £81,000 £63,500–£104,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £73,000 £56,500–£95,500 | £82,000 £63,500–£107,500 | £119,500 £89,000–£162,000 | £97,000 £74,000–£128,500 |
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 Oxfordshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£41,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £32,500–£49,000
8+ PQE: up to £95,500
Regional / Mid-size
£43,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £36,500–£53,000
8+ PQE: up to £107,500
City / National
£63,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £50,500–£79,000
8+ PQE: up to £162,000
In-house
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£63,500
8+ PQE: up to £128,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Oxfordshire 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 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£33,000 | £33,000 £30,500–£37,500 | £31,500 £29,000–£35,500 |
| 1-3 years | £30,500 £28,500–£33,000 | £32,500 £30,000–£36,500 | £37,000 £33,000–£42,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,500 |
| 3-5 years | £32,500 £30,000–£36,000 | £35,500 £32,000–£39,500 | £40,500 £36,000–£47,000 | £37,500 £33,000–£43,000 |
| 5+ years | £35,500 £32,000–£39,500 | £38,500 £34,000–£45,000 | £45,000 £39,000–£53,500 | £41,500 £36,500–£49,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £27,500 £26,000–£29,000 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,000 | £32,500 £30,000–£36,500 | £30,500 £28,500–£33,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£33,000 | £35,500 £32,000–£40,000 | £32,500 £30,000–£36,500 |
| 3-5 years | £29,500 £27,500–£31,500 | £32,500 £30,000–£35,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£43,500 | £35,500 £32,000–£39,500 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £29,000–£35,500 | £35,000 £31,500–£39,500 | £38,500 £34,000–£44,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£43,500 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,500 |
| 1-3 years | £29,000 £27,000–£32,500 | £32,500 £29,000–£36,500 | £42,500 £37,000–£49,500 | £38,500 £33,500–£44,500 |
| 3-5 years | £32,500 £29,000–£36,500 | £36,500 £32,000–£42,000 | £48,000 £40,500–£57,500 | £42,500 £36,500–£50,500 |
| 5+ years | £36,500 £32,000–£42,500 | £41,000 £34,500–£50,000 | £54,500 £45,500–£67,000 | £48,500 £40,500–£59,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in Oxfordshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Oxfordshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Abbott Forbes Solicitors
Oxford
Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd
Banbury
Angela Porter Solicitors
Oxford
Chiltern Law Limited
Also known as Legal Taxi
Henley-on-thames
De Law Limited
Kidlington
Ekr Associates Ltd
Oxford
Francis George Solicitor-advocate Limited
Witney
Gardner Leader LLP
Oxford
Hine Solicitors Limited
Oxford
Iq Legal Ltd
Banbury
Irvine Thanvi Natas
Oxford
Karen Todner Limited
Lechlade
Lewis Nedas Law Ltd
Oxford
Licensing & Safety Lawyers Ltd
Also known as Safety Lawyers, Lsl Solicitors, Licensing Lawyers
Wallingford
Mishcon De Reya LLP
Oxford
Showing 15 of 24 firms. See all firms in Oxfordshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Oxfordshire?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Oxfordshire typically earn between £32,500 and £53,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £41,000 and mid-size firms around £43,500.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Oxfordshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Oxfordshire typically earn between £43,000 and £71,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £54,500 and mid-size around £59,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Oxfordshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Oxfordshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £41,000, while a City or national firm may pay £63,000 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 Oxfordshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Oxfordshire typically earn between £27,500 and £33,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £29,000 and mid-size firms around £30,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £32,000 to £45,000, with boutique firms around £35,500 and mid-size around £38,500, 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.