Financial Services Solicitor Salary in Bristol 2026
Salary benchmarks for financial services solicitors in Bristol, 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 14 regulated firms in the area.
View Financial Services firms and jobs in Bristol→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for financial services solicitors in Bristol 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) | £50,500 £40,500–£61,000 | £54,000 £45,000–£65,500 | £64,000 £51,500–£80,500 | £55,000 £46,500–£67,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £58,000 £46,000–£70,000 | £63,000 £52,000–£75,500 | £72,000 £58,000–£93,000 | £63,000 £52,500–£78,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £67,500 £53,500–£81,500 | £73,500 £59,500–£88,000 | £84,500 £66,000–£111,500 | £73,500 £59,000–£92,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £80,000 £61,000–£99,000 | £85,500 £67,500–£106,000 | £101,000 £77,500–£134,000 | £86,500 £67,500–£110,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £90,000 £70,000–£118,500 | £101,500 £79,000–£133,000 | £121,500 £91,000–£165,000 | £103,000 £79,000–£137,000 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How financial services solicitor pay varies across firm types in Bristol. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£61,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,500
Regional / Mid-size
£54,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£65,500
8+ PQE: up to £133,000
City / National
£64,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £51,500–£80,500
8+ PQE: up to £165,000
In-house
£55,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,500–£67,500
8+ PQE: up to £137,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Bristol financial services teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.
Paralegal
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£38,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,000 £27,500–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 | £37,000 £33,000–£43,000 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 | £41,000 £36,000–£49,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£45,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,500–£27,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 |
| 3-5 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£32,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£40,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 |
| 5+ years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£45,000 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £34,000 £31,500–£37,000 | £37,000 £34,000–£41,500 | £38,500 £34,000–£44,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,000 |
| 1-3 years | £36,000 £33,000–£40,000 | £40,500 £36,000–£45,000 | £43,500 £37,500–£50,500 | £41,000 £36,000–£47,500 |
| 3-5 years | £40,500 £36,000–£45,000 | £45,000 £39,500–£52,000 | £49,000 £41,500–£58,500 | £45,500 £39,000–£53,500 |
| 5+ years | £45,000 £39,500–£53,000 | £50,500 £43,000–£62,000 | £55,500 £46,500–£68,000 | £51,500 £43,000–£63,000 |
Financial Services Firms in Bristol
Regulated financial services firms in Bristol on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Acuity Law Limited
Bristol
Bevan Brittan LLP
Bristol
Bs Pensions Trustees Limited
Bristol
Burges Salmon LLP
Bristol
Cms Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Bristol
Foot Anstey LLP
Bristol
Knights Professional Services Limited
Also known as Cl Medilaw, Integrar, Knights
Bristol
Lyons Davidson Trustee Company Limited
Bristol
Simmons & Simmons LLP
Bristol
Temple Bright LLP
Bristol
Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons
Bristol
Tlt LLP
Bristol
Waf Secretaries Limited
Bristol
Womble Bond Dickinson (uk) LLP
Bristol
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified financial services solicitor in Bristol?
Newly qualified financial services solicitors in Bristol typically earn between £40,500 and £80,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £50,500, mid-size firms around £54,000 and City or national firms around £64,000.
What does a financial services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Bristol?
At 4 to 5 PQE, financial services solicitors in Bristol typically earn between £53,500 and £111,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £67,500, mid-size around £73,500 and City or national firms around £84,500.
How does firm size affect financial services solicitor salaries in Bristol?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Bristol, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £50,500, while a City or national firm may pay £64,000 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 Bristol in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Bristol typically earn between £25,000 and £30,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £26,500 and mid-size firms around £28,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £29,500 to £41,000, with boutique firms around £32,500 and mid-size around £35,500, 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.