Employment Solicitor Salary in Dorset 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in Dorset, 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 21 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in Dorset→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in Dorset 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) | £43,500 £35,000–£52,000 | £48,000 £38,000–£57,500 | £54,500 £43,500–£65,000 | £49,500 £40,000–£60,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £49,500 £39,500–£60,000 | £54,500 £43,500–£65,500 | £62,500 £49,500–£75,000 | £57,000 £45,500–£69,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £58,000 £46,000–£70,000 | £64,000 £50,500–£77,500 | £72,500 £57,500–£87,500 | £66,500 £52,500–£80,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £68,500 £52,000–£85,000 | £75,500 £57,500–£93,500 | £86,000 £65,000–£106,500 | £78,500 £60,000–£97,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £77,500 £60,000–£101,500 | £85,000 £65,500–£111,500 | £96,500 £75,000–£127,000 | £89,000 £69,000–£116,500 |
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 Dorset. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£43,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£52,000
8+ PQE: up to £101,500
Regional / Mid-size
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,000–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £111,500
City / National
£54,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£65,000
8+ PQE: up to £127,000
In-house
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,000–£60,000
8+ PQE: up to £116,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Dorset 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 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£32,500 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 |
| 5+ years | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,000 £31,500–£39,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £26,000–£28,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £26,500–£29,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,000 £27,000–£31,500 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £29,000 £27,000–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,000–£34,500 | £31,500 £29,000–£34,500 | £33,500 £31,000–£36,500 |
| 1-3 years | £31,000 £28,500–£34,500 | £33,500 £31,000–£37,000 | £33,500 £31,000–£37,000 | £35,500 £33,000–£39,500 |
| 3-5 years | £35,000 £31,000–£38,500 | £37,500 £33,500–£41,500 | £37,500 £33,500–£41,500 | £40,000 £35,500–£44,500 |
| 5+ years | £38,500 £34,000–£45,500 | £41,500 £36,500–£49,000 | £41,500 £36,500–£49,000 | £44,500 £39,000–£52,000 |
Employment Firms in Dorset
Regulated employment firms in Dorset on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Battens Solicitors Limited
Sherborne
Blackburn Law Limited
Dorchester
Blanchards Bailey LLP
Blandford Forum
Coles Miller Solicitors LLP
Also known as Coles Miller Claims Uk, Serious Injury Solicitors
Poole
Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP
Swanage
Emplawyer Legal Limited
Ringwood
Essential Employment Law Services Limited
Bridport
Frettens LLP
Christchurch
Gales Solicitors Limited
Bournemouth
Harold G Walker
Wimborne
Humphries Kirk LLP
Also known as Hk Law
Wareham
Laceys Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Lester Aldridge LLP
Bournemouth
Mogers Drewett LLP
Sherborne
Showing 15 of 21 firms. See all firms in Dorset
Check your own salary
Use LawBoard's free salary estimator to get a personalised benchmark for your role, experience level, and location. Create a profile to save your result and track target firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in Dorset?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in Dorset earns between £38,000 and £57,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £48,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Dorset?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in Dorset earns between £50,500 and £77,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £64,000.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in Dorset?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Dorset, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £43,500, while a City or national firm may pay £54,500 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 Dorset in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Dorset start at around £25,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £37,000 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.