Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Yorkshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Yorkshire, 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 88 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Yorkshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Yorkshire 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) | £37,000 £29,500–£44,500 | £39,500 £33,000–£48,000 | £57,000 £46,000–£71,500 | £46,500 £39,500–£57,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £42,500 £34,000–£51,000 | £46,000 £38,000–£55,000 | £64,500 £51,500–£82,500 | £54,000 £45,000–£66,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £49,500 £39,000–£60,000 | £53,500 £43,500–£64,500 | £75,500 £59,000–£99,500 | £63,000 £50,000–£79,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £58,500 £44,500–£72,500 | £62,500 £49,500–£77,500 | £90,000 £69,000–£119,500 | £73,500 £57,500–£94,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £66,000 £51,000–£86,500 | £74,000 £57,500–£97,500 | £108,500 £81,000–£147,000 | £88,000 £67,500–£116,500 |
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 Yorkshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£37,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £29,500–£44,500
8+ PQE: up to £86,500
Regional / Mid-size
£39,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £33,000–£48,000
8+ PQE: up to £97,500
City / National
£57,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,000–£71,500
8+ PQE: up to £147,000
In-house
£46,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,500–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £116,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Yorkshire 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 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 |
| 1-3 years | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £33,500 £30,000–£38,500 | £31,000 £28,000–£35,000 |
| 3-5 years | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,500 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £40,500 £35,500–£48,500 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 5+ years | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£36,000 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,000–£27,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,500 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,500 | £31,500 £28,000–£36,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £24,500–£29,500 | £29,500 £26,500–£33,000 | £38,500 £33,500–£45,000 | £35,000 £30,500–£40,500 |
| 3-5 years | £29,500 £26,500–£33,000 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,000 | £43,500 £37,000–£52,000 | £38,500 £33,000–£46,000 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £29,000–£39,000 | £37,000 £31,500–£45,500 | £49,500 £41,500–£60,500 | £44,000 £37,000–£54,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Yorkshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Yorkshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Abr Solicitors Limited
Also known as Clarion Advocates
Leeds
Adam Law Solicitors Limited
Sheffield
Alastair Bateman & Co
Bradford
Ashmans Solicitors Ltd
Dewsbury
Austin Kemp Solicitors Limited
Also known as Adley Gray, Avery Finch
Leeds
B & C Solicitors T/a the Law Shop
Also known as The Law Shop, National Motoring Offence Lawyers
Scarborough
Balaal Khan & Partners Limited
Also known as Bkp Solicitors
Bradford
Barker & Copeman
Hull
Baxendale Vanzie Solicitors Ltd
Halifax
Blackwells Solicitors Limited
Keighley
Bradford Law Solicitors Limited
Bradford
Carr & Co Solicitors (yorkshire) Limited
Huddersfield
Chadwick Lawrence LLP
Also known as Yorkshires Legal People, Chadlaw, Acclaim
Wakefield
Chivers Solicitors
Bingley
Chris Stevenson Solicitors
Doncaster
Showing 15 of 88 firms. See all firms in Yorkshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Yorkshire?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Yorkshire earns between £33,000 and £48,000 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £39,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Yorkshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Yorkshire earns between £43,500 and £64,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £53,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Yorkshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Yorkshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £37,000, while a City or national firm may pay £57,000 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 Yorkshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Yorkshire start at around £25,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £40,500 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.