General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in Cheshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in Cheshire, 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 28 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in Cheshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in Cheshire 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–£110,000 | £81,500 £62,000–£101,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £80,000 £62,000–£105,000 | £88,000 £68,000–£115,500 | £100,000 £77,500–£131,500 | £92,000 £71,500–£120,500 |
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 Cheshire. 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 £105,000
Regional / Mid-size
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,500–£59,500
8+ PQE: up to £115,500
City / National
£56,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£67,500
8+ PQE: up to £131,500
In-house
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £41,500–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Cheshire 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 | £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 | £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–£38,500 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,500 | £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 £38,000–£51,000 | £43,000 £38,000–£51,000 | £46,000 £40,500–£54,000 |
General Legal Services Firms in Cheshire
Regulated general legal services firms in Cheshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Allington Hughes Limited
Chester
B J McKenna & Co Solicitors LLP
Stockport
Betesh Middleton Law Limited
Cheadle
Blackstone Solicitors Limited
Altrincham
Byrne Frodsham & Co
Widnes
Chafes Hague Lambert LLP
Wilmslow
Consumer Legal Costs Services Limited
Also known as Lawplus Solicitors
Stockport
Dyne Solicitors Limited
Chester
Fiona Bruce & Co LLP
Warrington
Freeman Jones Legal Ltd
Chester
Fs Legal Solicitors LLP
Also known as Fs Connect, Waterside Legal, Lease Claims
Altrincham
Han Kun LLP
Also known as Han Kun (london)
Altrincham
Hargreaves Mounteney Limited
Also known as Mounteney Solicitors, My Legal Solution
Stockport
Hibberts LLP
Nantwich
Kingsley Solicitors Limited
Chester
Showing 15 of 28 firms. See all firms in Cheshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Cheshire?
A newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Cheshire 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 general legal services solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Cheshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a general legal services solicitor in Cheshire earns between £52,500 and £80,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £66,000.
How does firm size affect general legal services solicitor salaries in Cheshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Cheshire, 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 Cheshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Cheshire 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.