Employment Solicitor Salary in South Yorkshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in South Yorkshire, 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 23 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in South Yorkshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in South Yorkshire 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) | £45,000 £36,000–£54,000 | £49,500 £39,500–£59,500 | £56,500 £45,000–£67,500 | £51,500 £41,500–£62,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £51,500 £41,000–£62,000 | £56,500 £45,000–£68,000 | £64,500 £51,500–£77,500 | £59,000 £47,000–£71,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £60,000 £47,500–£72,500 | £66,000 £52,500–£80,000 | £75,000 £59,500–£90,500 | £69,000 £54,500–£83,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £71,000 £54,000–£88,000 | £78,000 £59,500–£97,000 | £89,000 £67,500–£109,500 | £81,500 £62,000–£100,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £80,000 £62,000–£104,500 | £88,000 £68,000–£115,000 | £100,000 £77,500–£131,000 | £92,000 £71,500–£120,000 |
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 South Yorkshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£45,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £36,000–£54,000
8+ PQE: up to £104,500
Regional / Mid-size
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,500–£59,500
8+ PQE: up to £115,000
City / National
£56,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£67,500
8+ PQE: up to £131,000
In-house
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £41,500–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in South Yorkshire 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 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,500 | £27,500 £26,000–£30,000 | £27,500 £26,000–£30,000 | £29,500 £28,000–£32,000 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,000 £27,000–£32,000 | £29,000 £27,000–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,000–£33,500 |
| 3-5 years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£34,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£34,500 | £33,500 £30,500–£36,500 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 | £36,000 £33,000–£40,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £28,000 £26,500–£29,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £27,000 £25,500–£28,500 | £27,000 £25,500–£28,500 | £29,000 £27,000–£30,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,500–£28,000 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £28,000–£32,500 |
| 5+ years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £30,000 £28,000–£33,000 | £32,500 £30,000–£35,500 | £32,500 £30,000–£35,500 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 |
| 1-3 years | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 | £37,000 £34,000–£41,000 |
| 3-5 years | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£43,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£43,000 | £41,500 £37,000–£46,000 |
| 5+ years | £40,000 £35,000–£47,000 | £43,000 £37,500–£50,500 | £43,000 £37,500–£50,500 | £46,000 £40,500–£54,000 |
Employment Firms in South Yorkshire
Regulated employment firms in South Yorkshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Arthur Jackson & Co
Rotherham
Banner Jones Limited
Also known as Banner Jones Legal Costing Services
Sheffield
Bhayani Law Limited
Also known as Bhayani Hr & Employment Law
Sheffield
Bradford & Son
Rotherham
Buzz Law Limited
Also known as Click Solicitors
Sheffield
Dawson and Burgess
Also known as Kenyon Son & Craddock
Doncaster
Foys Solicitors
Also known as Foys Solicitors Incorporating Dean Thomas
Doncaster
Freeths LLP
Sheffield
Irwin Mitchell LLP
Sheffield
Jones Solicitors LLP
Doncaster
Law Reference Point
Sheffield
Md Law (yorkshire) LLP
Sheffield
Mkb Solicitors LLP
Barnsley
Shoosmiths LLP
Also known as Swiitch
Sheffield
Sills & Betteridge LLP
Also known as Moving Forward Lincolnshire, Sills Mediation, Acclaimed Family Law, Bridge Sanderson Munro, Campions Solicitors Limited, Bell & Buxton
Doncaster
Showing 15 of 23 firms. See all firms in South Yorkshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in South Yorkshire?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in South Yorkshire earns between £39,500 and £59,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £49,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in South Yorkshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in South Yorkshire earns between £52,500 and £80,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £66,000.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in South Yorkshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in South Yorkshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £45,000, while a City or national firm may pay £56,500 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 South Yorkshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in South Yorkshire start at around £26,000 for entry-level positions and rise to £38,000 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.