General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in Somerset 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in Somerset, 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 26 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in Somerset→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in Somerset 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) | £41,500 £33,000–£49,500 | £44,000 £37,000–£53,500 | £57,000 £46,000–£72,000 | £48,000 £40,500–£59,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £47,500 £37,500–£57,000 | £51,500 £42,500–£61,500 | £64,500 £51,500–£83,000 | £55,000 £46,000–£68,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £55,000 £43,500–£66,500 | £60,000 £49,000–£72,000 | £75,500 £59,000–£99,500 | £64,500 £51,500–£81,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £65,500 £49,500–£81,000 | £70,000 £55,000–£86,500 | £90,000 £69,000–£119,500 | £75,500 £59,000–£96,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £73,500 £57,000–£96,500 | £83,000 £64,500–£108,500 | £108,500 £81,000–£147,000 | £90,000 £69,000–£119,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How general legal services solicitor pay varies across firm types in Somerset. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£41,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £33,000–£49,500
8+ PQE: up to £96,500
Regional / Mid-size
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £37,000–£53,500
8+ PQE: up to £108,500
City / National
£57,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,000–£72,000
8+ PQE: up to £147,000
In-house
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£59,000
8+ PQE: up to £119,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Somerset general legal 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 | £25,000 £23,500–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £27,000 £25,000–£30,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£36,500 | £29,500 £26,500–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £32,000 £28,500–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£38,500 | £38,500 £33,500–£46,000 | £36,000 £31,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £23,500 £22,500–£25,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£26,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 |
| 1-3 years | £24,500 £23,000–£26,000 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 |
| 3-5 years | £25,500 £23,500–£27,000 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,000–£34,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£43,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£38,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £27,500 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,500 | £32,000 £28,500–£37,000 |
| 1-3 years | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,000 | £38,500 £33,500–£45,000 | £36,000 £31,500–£41,500 |
| 3-5 years | £33,000 £29,500–£37,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£42,500 | £43,500 £37,000–£52,000 | £39,500 £34,000–£47,000 |
| 5+ years | £37,000 £32,000–£43,000 | £41,500 £35,000–£50,500 | £49,500 £41,500–£60,500 | £45,000 £37,500–£55,000 |
General Legal Services Firms in Somerset
Regulated general legal services firms in Somerset on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Adrian Stables LLP
Langport
Alan Turner & Co
Bath
Allen Hoole Limited
Bristol
Beaufort Montague Harris Limited
Bath
Bgw Law Limited
Also known as Bartlett Gooding Weelen
Cheddar
Chubb Bulleid Limited
Street
Clarke Willmott LLP
Taunton
Culshaw Holdings Limited
Street
Foot Anstey LLP
Taunton
Forrester Sylvester MacKett LLP
Frome
George Hawks Solicitor
Somerton
Gould & Swayne Limited
Also known as Qualitysolicitors Gould & Swayne (practising Style for - Gould & Swayne)
Glastonbury
Harris & Harris Legal Services LLP
Also known as Harris & Harris
Frome
Helen Starkie Solicitor
Bath
Omnialegal Limited
Also known as Omnia Solicitors
Bath
Showing 15 of 26 firms. See all firms in Somerset
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Somerset?
Newly qualified general legal services solicitors in Somerset typically earn between £33,000 and £53,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £41,500 and mid-size firms around £44,000.
What does a general legal services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Somerset?
At 4 to 5 PQE, general legal services solicitors in Somerset typically earn between £43,500 and £72,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £55,000 and mid-size around £60,000.
How does firm size affect general legal services solicitor salaries in Somerset?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Somerset, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £41,500, while a City or national firm may pay £57,000 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 Somerset in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Somerset typically earn between £23,500 and £28,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £25,000 and mid-size firms around £26,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £27,500 to £38,500, with boutique firms around £30,500 and mid-size around £33,000, 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.