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 95 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 | £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 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
£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 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 | £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 Kent
Regulated employment firms in Kent on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Achor Employment Law Consulting Limited
Tunbridge Wells
Afpan Edward Solicitors Ltd
Also known as Afpan Edwards Solicitors
Dartford
Ambassedors Limited
Also known as Envoy Solicitors
Maidstone
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
Sevenoaks
Birketts LLP
Sevenoaks
Bishop Akers LLP
Swanley
Boys and Maughan LLP
Birchington
Brachers LLP
Maidstone
Browan Solicitors Limited
Burroughs
Maidstone
Burtons Solicitors Limited
Chatham
Showing 15 of 95 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?
Newly qualified employment solicitors in Kent typically earn between £38,000 and £61,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £47,500 and mid-size firms around £50,500.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Kent?
At 4 to 5 PQE, employment solicitors in Kent typically earn between £50,000 and £82,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £63,000 and mid-size around £68,500.
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 £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 Kent in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Kent typically earn between £25,500 and £31,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £27,000 and mid-size firms around £28,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £30,000 to £42,000, with boutique firms around £33,000 and mid-size around £36,000, 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.