Employment Solicitor Salary in London 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in London, 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 115 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in London→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in London 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) | £59,000 £47,500–£71,000 | £65,000 £52,000–£78,000 | £74,000 £59,000–£88,500 | £67,500 £54,500–£81,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £67,500 £54,000–£81,500 | £74,000 £59,000–£89,500 | £84,500 £67,500–£101,500 | £77,500 £61,500–£94,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £79,000 £62,500–£95,000 | £86,500 £69,000–£105,000 | £98,500 £78,000–£119,000 | £90,500 £71,500–£109,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £93,000 £71,000–£115,500 | £102,500 £78,000–£127,500 | £117,000 £88,500–£144,500 | £107,000 £81,500–£132,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £105,000 £81,500–£138,000 | £115,500 £89,500–£151,500 | £120,000 £101,500–£156,000 | £121,000 £94,000–£158,000 |
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 London. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£59,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £47,500–£71,000
8+ PQE: up to £138,000
Regional / Mid-size
£65,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £52,000–£78,000
8+ PQE: up to £151,500
City / National
£74,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £59,000–£88,500
8+ PQE: up to £156,000
In-house
£67,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £54,500–£81,500
8+ PQE: up to £158,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in London 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 | £34,000 £32,000–£36,500 | £36,500 £34,500–£39,000 | £36,500 £34,500–£39,000 | £39,000 £37,000–£42,000 |
| 1-3 years | £35,500 £33,000–£39,000 | £38,500 £36,000–£42,000 | £38,500 £36,000–£42,000 | £41,500 £38,000–£44,500 |
| 3-5 years | £38,000 £35,000–£42,000 | £41,000 £38,000–£45,000 | £41,000 £38,000–£45,000 | £44,000 £40,000–£48,000 |
| 5+ years | £41,500 £37,500–£46,500 | £44,500 £40,500–£50,000 | £44,500 £40,500–£50,000 | £47,500 £43,000–£53,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £32,000 £30,500–£34,000 | £34,500 £33,000–£36,500 | £34,500 £33,000–£36,500 | £37,000 £35,000–£39,000 |
| 1-3 years | £33,000 £31,500–£35,000 | £36,000 £34,000–£38,000 | £36,000 £34,000–£38,000 | £38,000 £35,500–£40,000 |
| 3-5 years | £34,500 £32,000–£37,000 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,000 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,000 | £39,500 £37,000–£42,500 |
| 5+ years | £37,000 £34,000–£41,500 | £40,000 £36,500–£44,500 | £40,000 £36,500–£44,500 | £42,500 £39,000–£47,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £39,500 £37,000–£43,500 | £42,500 £39,500–£47,000 | £42,500 £39,500–£47,000 | £45,500 £42,000–£50,000 |
| 1-3 years | £42,000 £38,500–£46,500 | £45,500 £42,000–£50,500 | £45,500 £42,000–£50,500 | £48,500 £44,500–£54,000 |
| 3-5 years | £47,500 £42,000–£52,500 | £51,000 £45,500–£56,500 | £51,000 £45,500–£56,500 | £54,500 £48,500–£60,500 |
| 5+ years | £52,500 £46,000–£61,500 | £56,500 £49,500–£66,500 | £56,500 £49,500–£66,500 | £60,500 £53,000–£71,000 |
Employment Firms in London
Regulated employment firms in London on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Anthony & Co Solicitors
London
Aq Archers Solicitors Limited
London
Arion Law Solicitors Limited
London
Arkrights Solicitors
London
Arona Sarwar
Also known as Arona St James Solicitors
London
Aschfords Law Solicitors Limited
North Harrow
Ashfords LLP
London
Ashurst LLP
London
Austen-jones Solicitors Limited
Also known as Leung and Co Law
London
Banks Kelly Solicitors Limited
London
Barnes and Partners
London
Bates Solicitors Limited
Also known as Wallis Prance, Bates Solicitors (trading Style for Bates Solicitors Limited), Crellins Carter (practising Style for Bates Solicitors Limited), Crellins Carter
London
Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
Also known as Bates Wells, Bwb, Bates Wells Braithwaite
London
Belmont & Lowe
London
Bevan Brittan LLP
London
Showing 15 of 115 firms. See all firms in London
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 London?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in London earns between £52,000 and £78,000 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £65,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in London?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in London earns between £69,000 and £105,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £86,500.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in London?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in London, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £59,000, while a City or national firm may pay £74,000 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 London in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in London start at around £34,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £50,000 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.