Intellectual Property Solicitor Salary in Greater Manchester 2026
Salary benchmarks for intellectual property solicitors in Greater Manchester, 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 4 regulated firms in the area.
View Intellectual Property firms and jobs in Greater Manchester→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for intellectual property solicitors in Greater Manchester 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) | £44,000 £35,500–£53,000 | £48,500 £38,500–£58,500 | £55,500 £44,000–£66,000 | £50,500 £40,500–£61,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £50,500 £40,000–£61,000 | £55,500 £44,000–£66,500 | £63,000 £50,500–£76,000 | £58,000 £46,000–£70,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £59,000 £46,500–£71,000 | £64,500 £51,500–£78,500 | £73,500 £58,500–£88,500 | £67,500 £53,500–£82,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £69,500 £53,000–£86,000 | £76,500 £58,500–£95,000 | £87,000 £66,000–£108,000 | £80,000 £61,000–£99,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £78,500 £61,000–£103,000 | £86,000 £66,500–£113,000 | £95,000 £76,000–£123,500 | £90,000 £70,000–£118,000 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How intellectual property solicitor pay varies across firm types in Greater Manchester. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,500–£53,000
8+ PQE: up to £103,000
Regional / Mid-size
£48,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£58,500
8+ PQE: up to £113,000
City / National
£55,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£66,000
8+ PQE: up to £123,500
In-house
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£61,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Greater Manchester intellectual property 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 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,000 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,000 | £34,000 £31,500–£37,000 |
| 1-3 years | £31,500 £29,000–£35,000 | £34,000 £31,000–£37,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£37,500 | £36,500 £33,500–£40,000 |
| 3-5 years | £35,500 £31,500–£39,000 | £38,000 £34,000–£42,500 | £38,000 £34,000–£42,500 | £40,500 £36,500–£45,000 |
| 5+ years | £39,000 £34,500–£46,000 | £42,500 £37,000–£49,500 | £42,500 £37,000–£49,500 | £45,000 £39,500–£53,000 |
Intellectual Property Firms in Greater Manchester
Regulated intellectual property firms in Greater Manchester on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified intellectual property solicitor in Greater Manchester?
A newly qualified intellectual property solicitor in Greater Manchester earns between £38,500 and £58,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £48,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a intellectual property solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Greater Manchester?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a intellectual property solicitor in Greater Manchester earns between £51,500 and £78,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £64,500.
How does firm size affect intellectual property solicitor salaries in Greater Manchester?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Greater Manchester, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £44,000, while a City or national firm may pay £55,500 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 Greater Manchester in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Greater Manchester 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.