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 211 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) | £46,000 £36,500–£55,000 | £49,000 £40,500–£59,000 | £61,000 £49,500–£77,000 | £51,500 £43,500–£63,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £52,500 £42,000–£63,000 | £57,000 £47,000–£68,000 | £69,000 £55,500–£89,000 | £59,500 £49,500–£73,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £61,000 £48,500–£74,000 | £66,000 £54,000–£79,500 | £81,000 £63,000–£106,500 | £69,500 £55,500–£87,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £72,500 £55,000–£89,500 | £77,500 £61,000–£95,500 | £96,500 £74,000–£128,500 | £81,500 £63,500–£104,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £81,500 £63,000–£107,000 | £91,500 £71,500–£120,000 | £116,500 £87,000–£158,000 | £97,500 £74,500–£129,500 |
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
£46,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £36,500–£55,000
8+ PQE: up to £107,000
Regional / Mid-size
£49,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£59,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,000
City / National
£61,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £49,500–£77,000
8+ PQE: up to £158,000
In-house
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£63,500
8+ PQE: up to £129,500
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 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 |
| 1-3 years | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £33,500 £30,000–£38,500 | £31,000 £28,000–£35,000 |
| 3-5 years | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,500 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £40,500 £35,500–£48,500 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 5+ years | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£36,000 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £30,500 £28,500–£33,500 | £33,500 £30,500–£37,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 1-3 years | £32,500 £30,000–£36,000 | £36,500 £32,500–£40,500 | £41,500 £36,000–£48,500 | £39,000 £34,000–£44,500 |
| 3-5 years | £36,500 £32,500–£40,500 | £40,500 £35,500–£47,000 | £47,000 £39,500–£56,000 | £43,000 £37,000–£50,500 |
| 5+ years | £40,500 £35,500–£48,000 | £46,000 £38,500–£56,000 | £53,500 £44,500–£65,000 | £48,500 £41,000–£59,500 |
Employment Firms in Greater Manchester
Regulated employment firms in Greater Manchester on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aaron & Partners LLP
Abbleys Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Accounts and Legal Consultants Ltd
Manchester
Adco Legal Limited
Bury
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Manchester
Afg Law Limited
Bolton
Agh Solicitors
Bolton
Agi Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Alexander Shaw Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Allweis and Co Ltd
Salford
Analysis Legal LLP
Stockport
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Manchester
Anthony Robinson Solicitors Ltd
Altrincham
Arch Law Limited
Manchester
Arrow Law Limited
Manchester
Showing 15 of 211 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?
Newly qualified employment solicitors in Greater Manchester typically earn between £36,500 and £59,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £46,000 and mid-size firms around £49,000.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Greater Manchester?
At 4 to 5 PQE, employment solicitors in Greater Manchester typically earn between £48,500 and £79,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £61,000 and mid-size around £66,000.
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 £46,000, while a City or national firm may pay £61,000 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 Greater Manchester in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Greater Manchester typically earn between £24,500 and £30,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £26,000 and mid-size firms around £27,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £29,000 to £40,500, with boutique firms around £32,000 and mid-size around £35,000, 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.