Employment Solicitor Salary in Kent 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in Kent, 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 64 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in Kent→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in Kent 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 Kent. 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 Kent 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 Kent
Regulated employment firms in Kent on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aletta Shaw Ltd
Bexleyheath
Apex Employment Solicitors Ltd
Maidstone
Atkins Hope Solicitors Limited
Also known as Dodd Lewis
Chatham
Baileyfields Solicitors Limited
Tunbridge Wells
Beam Law Limited
Tunbridge Wells
Berry & Lamberts LLP
Tunbridge Wells
Bishop Akers LLP
Swanley
Bloomfield Solicitors
Erith
Brachers LLP
Maidstone
Burroughs
Maidstone
Burtons Solicitors Limited
Tunbridge Wells
Clarke Kiernan LLP
Tonbridge
Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd
Orpington
Cooperburnett LLP
Tunbridge Wells
Cripps LLP
Tunbridge Wells
Showing 15 of 64 firms. See all firms in Kent
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in Kent?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in Kent 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 Kent?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in Kent 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 Kent?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Kent, 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 Kent in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Kent 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.