Employment Solicitor Salary in East Sussex 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in East Sussex, 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 East Sussex→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in East Sussex 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 | £52,000 £41,500–£62,500 | £59,500 £47,500–£71,000 | £54,000 £43,500–£65,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £54,000 £43,000–£65,000 | £59,500 £47,500–£71,500 | £67,500 £54,000–£81,500 | £62,000 £49,500–£75,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £63,000 £50,000–£76,000 | £69,500 £55,000–£84,000 | £79,000 £62,500–£95,000 | £72,500 £57,000–£87,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £74,500 £56,500–£92,500 | £82,000 £62,500–£102,000 | £93,500 £71,000–£115,500 | £85,500 £65,000–£106,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £84,000 £65,000–£110,500 | £92,500 £71,500–£121,500 | £105,000 £81,500–£138,000 | £96,500 £75,000–£126,500 |
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 East Sussex. 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
£52,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £41,500–£62,500
8+ PQE: up to £121,500
City / National
£59,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £47,500–£71,000
8+ PQE: up to £138,000
In-house
£54,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£65,000
8+ PQE: up to £126,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in East Sussex 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 | £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 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,500 | £34,000 £32,000–£37,500 | £34,000 £32,000–£37,500 | £36,000 £33,500–£40,000 |
| 1-3 years | £33,500 £31,000–£37,500 | £36,500 £33,500–£40,500 | £36,500 £33,500–£40,500 | £39,000 £35,500–£43,000 |
| 3-5 years | £38,000 £33,500–£42,000 | £41,000 £36,500–£45,500 | £41,000 £36,500–£45,500 | £43,500 £39,000–£48,500 |
| 5+ years | £42,000 £37,000–£49,500 | £45,500 £39,500–£53,500 | £45,500 £39,500–£53,500 | £48,500 £42,500–£56,500 |
Employment Firms in East Sussex
Regulated employment firms in East Sussex on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Acumen Law Limited
Also known as Acumen Business Law, Acumen People
Hove
Arlingsworth Solicitors Ltd
Brighton
Ashton Commercial Limited
Also known as Mk Ashton & Co Solicitors
Brighton
Astburys
Lewes
Coole Bevis LLP
Hove
Cramp and Mullaney LLP
Eastbourne
Dean Wilson LLP
Brighton
Funnell & Perring
Hastings
Gaby Hardwicke
Eastbourne
Green Wright Chalton Annis
Also known as Gwca Solicitors
Hove
Helix Law Limited
Eastbourne
Heringtons LLP
Hastings
M S Solicitors Limited
Also known as Martin Searle Solicitors
Eastbourne
Mirkwood Evans Vincent Ltd
Brighton
Moore Law Ltd
Brighton
Showing 15 of 18 firms. See all firms in East Sussex
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in East Sussex?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in East Sussex earns between £41,500 and £62,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £52,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in East Sussex?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in East Sussex earns between £55,000 and £84,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £69,500.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in East Sussex?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in East Sussex, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £47,500, while a City or national firm may pay £59,500 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 East Sussex in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in East Sussex 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.