General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in County Durham 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in County Durham, 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 11 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in County Durham→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in County Durham 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) | £39,500 £31,500–£47,500 | £42,000 £35,000–£51,000 | £54,500 £44,000–£68,500 | £46,000 £38,500–£56,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £45,500 £36,000–£54,500 | £49,500 £40,500–£59,000 | £61,500 £49,500–£79,000 | £53,000 £44,000–£65,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £53,000 £42,000–£64,000 | £57,000 £46,500–£68,500 | £72,000 £56,500–£95,000 | £61,500 £49,500–£77,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £62,500 £47,500–£77,500 | £67,000 £53,000–£82,500 | £86,000 £66,000–£114,500 | £72,000 £56,500–£92,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £70,500 £54,500–£92,500 | £79,000 £61,500–£104,000 | £104,000 £77,500–£141,000 | £86,000 £66,000–£114,500 |
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 County Durham. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£39,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,500–£47,500
8+ PQE: up to £92,500
Regional / Mid-size
£42,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£51,000
8+ PQE: up to £104,000
City / National
£54,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£68,500
8+ PQE: up to £141,000
In-house
£46,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£56,500
8+ PQE: up to £114,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in County Durham 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 | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£27,500 | £27,500 £25,000–£31,000 | £26,000 £24,000–£29,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£27,500 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 | £30,500 £27,500–£35,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 |
| 3-5 years | £27,000 £24,500–£29,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,500 £29,500–£38,500 | £31,000 £27,500–£35,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £31,500 £28,000–£37,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£44,000 | £34,500 £30,000–£40,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£27,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £25,000 £24,000–£27,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£33,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 |
| 3-5 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£29,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£36,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 5+ years | £26,000 £25,000–£29,000 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£41,500 | £31,500 £28,000–£37,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,500 £24,500–£29,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,000 | £31,000 £27,500–£35,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£43,000 | £34,500 £30,000–£39,500 |
| 3-5 years | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £42,000 £35,000–£49,500 | £38,000 £32,500–£45,000 |
| 5+ years | £35,000 £31,000–£41,500 | £39,500 £33,500–£48,500 | £47,500 £39,500–£58,000 | £43,000 £36,000–£53,000 |
General Legal Services Firms in County Durham
Regulated general legal services firms in County Durham on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP
Also known as Bhp Law
Durham
Emg Solicitors Limited
Darlington
Evans & Co
Spennymoor
Kenneth M Barrow & Co Limited
Seaham
McGarry Law LLP
Also known as Smith Roddam
Barnard Castle
R Bell & Son
Hartlepool
Swinburne Maddison LLP
Durham
Taylor Goodchild Limited
Also known as Taylor Goodchild Solicitors (practicing Style for Taylor Goodchild Limited)
Middlesbrough
Tmj Legal Services Limited
Hartlepool
Watson Woodhouse Limited
Middlesbrough
Womble Bond Dickinson (uk) LLP
Redcar
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in County Durham?
Newly qualified general legal services solicitors in County Durham typically earn between £31,500 and £68,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £39,500, mid-size firms around £42,000 and City or national firms around £54,500.
What does a general legal services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in County Durham?
At 4 to 5 PQE, general legal services solicitors in County Durham typically earn between £42,000 and £95,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £53,000, mid-size around £57,000 and City or national firms around £72,000.
How does firm size affect general legal services solicitor salaries in County Durham?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in County Durham, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £39,500, while a City or national firm may pay £54,500 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 County Durham in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in County Durham typically earn between £23,500 and £27,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £24,500 and mid-size firms around £25,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £26,500 to £37,000, with boutique firms around £29,000 and mid-size around £31,500, 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.