Employment Solicitor Salary in West Yorkshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for employment solicitors in West 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 59 regulated firms in the area.
View Employment firms and jobs in West Yorkshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for employment solicitors in West 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 West 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 West 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 West Yorkshire
Regulated employment firms in West Yorkshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Leeds
Andrew Holland Law Limited
Keighley
Bevan Brittan LLP
Leeds
Blacks Solicitors LLP
Also known as Blacks Connect
Leeds
Blakeley Solicitors
Bradford
Bridge Trustees Limited
Leeds
Buxton Coates Solicitors Limited
Also known as Fta Law
Leeds
Cadmans Law Limited
Also known as Cadmans (practising Style for Cadmans Law Limited)
Cleckheaton
Chadwick Lawrence LLP
Also known as Yorkshires Legal People, Chadlaw, Acclaim
Wakefield
Clarion Solicitors Limited
Leeds
Consilia Legal Leeds Ltd
Also known as Consilia Legal, Consilia Mediation
Leeds
Disken & Co
Also known as Disken & Co Inc J Bryan Smith & Co
Dewsbury
Dwf Law LLP
Also known as Resolution Law
Leeds
Eaton Smith LLP
Also known as Cds, Yes, Yes Personal Injury Lawyers
Huddersfield
Eatons Solicitors
Also known as Weatherhead & Butcher,part of Eatons Solicitors
Bingley
Showing 15 of 59 firms. See all firms in West Yorkshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified employment solicitor in West Yorkshire?
A newly qualified employment solicitor in West 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 West Yorkshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a employment solicitor in West 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 West Yorkshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in West 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 West Yorkshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in West 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.