Employment Solicitor Salary in West Midlands 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in West Midlands, 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 93 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in West Midlands→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in West Midlands 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 | £52,000 £41,500–£62,500 | £59,500 £47,500–£71,000 | £54,000 £43,500–£65,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £54,000 £43,000–£65,000 | £59,500 £47,500–£71,500 | £67,500 £54,000–£81,500 | £62,000 £49,500–£75,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £63,000 £50,000–£76,000 | £69,500 £55,000–£84,000 | £79,000 £62,500–£95,000 | £72,500 £57,000–£87,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £74,500 £56,500–£92,500 | £82,000 £62,500–£102,000 | £93,500 £71,000–£115,500 | £85,500 £65,000–£106,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £84,000 £65,000–£110,500 | £92,500 £71,500–£121,500 | £105,000 £81,500–£138,000 | £96,500 £75,000–£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 West Midlands. 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
£52,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £41,500–£62,500
8+ PQE: up to £121,500
City / National
£59,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £47,500–£71,000
8+ PQE: up to £138,000
In-house
£54,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£65,000
8+ PQE: up to £126,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in West Midlands 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 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £29,500–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £32,000–£38,500 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £38,000 £34,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £29,500 £28,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 |
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 | £34,000 £32,000–£37,500 | £34,000 £32,000–£37,500 | £36,000 £33,500–£40,000 |
| 1-3 years | £33,500 £31,000–£37,500 | £36,500 £33,500–£40,500 | £36,500 £33,500–£40,500 | £39,000 £35,500–£43,000 |
| 3-5 years | £38,000 £33,500–£42,000 | £41,000 £36,500–£45,500 | £41,000 £36,500–£45,500 | £43,500 £39,000–£48,500 |
| 5+ years | £42,000 £37,000–£49,500 | £45,500 £39,500–£53,500 | £45,500 £39,500–£53,500 | £48,500 £42,500–£56,500 |
Employment Firms in West Midlands
Regulated employment firms in West Midlands on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Abbott Solicitors LLP
Birmingham
Angels Solicitors LLP
Coventry
Ansons Solicitors Limited
Sutton Coldfield
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Birmingham
Askews Legal LLP
Also known as Debt-claims Solicitors
Coventry
Aspect Law Limited
Birmingham
Averta Employment Lawyers LLP
Solihull
Bailey Wright & Co
Birmingham
Band Hatton Button LLP
Coventry
Bassi Solicitors Limited
Birmingham
Bourne Jaffa & Co Incorporating the Former Practice of Wild & Co
Birmingham
Bridge Trustees Limited
Birmingham
Brindley Twist Tafft & James LLP
Coventry
Broomhall Solicitors Limited
Birmingham
Campbell Solicitors
Birmingham
Showing 15 of 93 firms. See all firms in West Midlands
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in West Midlands?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in West Midlands earns between £41,500 and £62,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £52,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a employment solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in West Midlands?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in West Midlands earns between £55,000 and £84,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £69,500.
How does firm size affect employment solicitor salaries in West Midlands?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in West Midlands, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £47,500, while a City or national firm may pay £59,500 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 West Midlands in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in West Midlands start at around £27,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £40,000 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.