Employment Solicitor Salary in Staffordshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in Staffordshire, 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 37 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in Staffordshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in Staffordshire 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 | £48,000 £40,000–£58,000 | £60,000 £48,500–£75,500 | £50,500 £43,000–£62,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £51,500 £41,000–£62,000 | £56,000 £46,000–£67,000 | £67,500 £54,000–£87,000 | £58,500 £48,500–£72,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £60,000 £47,500–£72,500 | £65,000 £53,000–£78,000 | £79,500 £62,000–£104,500 | £68,000 £54,500–£85,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £71,000 £54,000–£88,000 | £76,000 £60,000–£94,000 | £94,500 £72,500–£125,500 | £80,000 £62,500–£102,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £80,000 £62,000–£104,500 | £90,000 £70,000–£117,500 | £114,000 £85,000–£154,500 | £95,500 £73,000–£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 Staffordshire. 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
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,000–£58,000
8+ PQE: up to £117,500
City / National
£60,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £48,500–£75,500
8+ PQE: up to £154,500
In-house
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,000–£62,500
8+ PQE: up to £126,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Staffordshire 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 £24,000–£27,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,500 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £33,500 £29,500–£38,000 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £34,000 £30,500–£40,000 | £40,000 £34,500–£47,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£43,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,500 £24,000–£27,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£31,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£39,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 |
| 5+ years | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £28,000–£35,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£40,000 |
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 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,500 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 |
| 1-3 years | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £40,500 £35,500–£47,500 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,000 |
| 3-5 years | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £40,000 £35,000–£46,000 | £46,000 £38,500–£54,500 | £42,000 £36,000–£49,500 |
| 5+ years | £40,000 £35,000–£47,000 | £45,000 £38,000–£55,000 | £52,000 £43,500–£64,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£58,500 |
Employment Firms in Staffordshire
Regulated employment firms in Staffordshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Ansons Solicitors Limited
Lichfield
Beeston Shenton Solicitors Ltd
Newcastle
Beswicks Solicitors LLP
Stoke-on-trent
Bowcock & Pursaill LLP
Eccleshall
Butcher and Barlow LLP
Stoke-on-trent
Charltons Solicitors Limited
Stoke-on-trent
Cowlishaw & Mountford
Uttoxeter
Davisons Solicitors Limited
Also known as Qualitysolicitors Davisons, Jephson Legal, Dp Law
Stafford
Eddowes Perry and Osbourne Limited
Also known as Epo Lawyers, Epo Estates
Stafforshire
Enoch Evans LLP
Also known as Enoch Evans LLP Incorporating Addison O'hare, Enoch Evans Incorporating Gardner Iliff & Dowding
Cannock
Excello Law Limited
Also known as 458 Law, Lowry Legal, Livida Legal, Dba Law, Ocean Legal, Elevate Legal, Three Points Law, G&g Law, Preston Law, Cargo Law, Ionic Legal
Newcastle Under Lyme
Gardner Champion Solicitors Ltd
Rugeley
Glaisyers
Tamworth
Hand Morgan & Owen
Stafford
Harrison Drury & Co Ltd
Stoke-on-trent
Showing 15 of 37 firms. See all firms in Staffordshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in Staffordshire?
Newly qualified employment solicitors in Staffordshire typically earn between £36,000 and £75,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £45,000, mid-size firms around £48,000 and City or national firms around £60,000.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Staffordshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, employment solicitors in Staffordshire typically earn between £47,500 and £104,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £60,000, mid-size around £65,000 and City or national firms around £79,500.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in Staffordshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Staffordshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £45,000, while a City or national firm may pay £60,000 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 Staffordshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Staffordshire typically earn between £24,000 and £29,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £25,500 and mid-size firms around £27,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £28,500 to £40,000, with boutique firms around £31,500 and mid-size around £34,000, 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.