Employment Solicitor Salary in Greater Manchester 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in Greater Manchester, 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 20 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in Greater Manchester→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester. 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 Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester
Regulated employment firms in Greater Manchester on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aubrey Isaacson Solicitors LLP
Also known as Isaacson & Partners
Manchester
Bbs Law Ltd
Manchester
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Also known as Blp
Manchester
Chambers O'neill Solicitors Ltd
Manchester
Clough & Willis
Bolton
Cook Lawyers Ltd
Manchester
Dla Piper Uk LLP
Manchester
Dwf Law LLP
Also known as Resolution Law
Manchester
Johnson's Solicitors
Oldham
Kpmg LLP
Manchester
Leigh Day
Manchester
McHale Legal Limited
Also known as Waldron & Schofield Solicitors, McH Legal, The Biker Lawyers, McHale & Company Solicitors, Willsolicitor
Altrincham
Pilgrim Hope Limited
Wigan
Platt & Fishwick Limited
Wigan
Ralli Solicitors LLP
Manchester
Showing 15 of 20 firms. See all firms in Greater Manchester
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in Greater Manchester?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Greater Manchester, 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 Greater Manchester in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Greater Manchester 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.