Employment Solicitor Salary in County 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in County, 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 18 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in County→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in County 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) | £47,500 £38,000–£56,500 | £50,500 £42,000–£61,000 | £63,000 £51,000–£79,500 | £53,500 £45,000–£65,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £54,000 £43,000–£65,000 | £59,000 £48,500–£70,500 | £71,000 £57,000–£91,500 | £61,500 £51,000–£76,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £63,000 £50,000–£76,000 | £68,500 £55,500–£82,000 | £83,500 £65,000–£110,000 | £72,000 £57,500–£90,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £74,500 £56,500–£92,500 | £80,000 £63,000–£98,500 | £99,500 £76,500–£132,500 | £84,000 £65,500–£107,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £84,000 £65,000–£110,500 | £94,500 £73,500–£124,000 | £120,000 £89,500–£163,000 | £100,500 £77,000–£133,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How employment solicitor pay varies across firm types in County. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£47,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,000–£56,500
8+ PQE: up to £110,500
Regional / Mid-size
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,000–£61,000
8+ PQE: up to £124,000
City / National
£63,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £51,000–£79,500
8+ PQE: up to £163,000
In-house
£53,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£65,500
8+ PQE: up to £133,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in County employment 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 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,500 | £34,500 £31,500–£39,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,000 |
| 1-3 years | £33,500 £31,000–£37,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£42,000 | £42,500 £37,000–£50,000 | £40,000 £35,000–£46,000 |
| 3-5 years | £38,000 £33,500–£42,000 | £42,000 £37,000–£48,500 | £48,500 £40,500–£57,500 | £44,000 £38,000–£52,500 |
| 5+ years | £42,000 £37,000–£49,500 | £47,500 £40,000–£58,000 | £55,000 £46,000–£67,000 | £50,000 £42,000–£61,500 |
Employment Firms in County
Regulated employment firms in County on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP
Belfast
Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP
Also known as Bhp Law
Darlington
Emg Solicitors Limited
Durham
Evans & Co
Spennymoor
Greystone Legal LLP
Newton Aycliffe
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Belfast
Hewitts
Bishop Auckland
Lever Law Limited
Durham
MacKs Solicitors Limited
Darlington
McGarry Law LLP
Also known as Smith Roddam
Barnard Castle
Meikles Solicitors LLP
Spennymoor
Newtons Solicitors Limited
Darlington
Peter Dunn & Co Limited
Seaham
Pinsent Masons LLP
Belfast
Swinburne Maddison LLP
Durham
Showing 15 of 18 firms. See all firms in County
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in County?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in County earns between £42,000 and £61,000 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £50,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in County?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in County earns between £55,500 and £82,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £68,500.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in County?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in County, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £47,500, 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 County in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in County start at around £26,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £42,000 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.