General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in Derbyshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in Derbyshire, 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 13 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in Derbyshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in Derbyshire 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 Derbyshire. 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 Derbyshire 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 Derbyshire
Regulated general legal services firms in Derbyshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Banner Jones Limited
Also known as Banner Jones Legal Costing Services
Chesterfield
Brm Law Limited
Chesterfield
Chafes Hague Lambert LLP
High Peak
Cleaver Thompson Limited
Alfreton
Cooper Sons Hartley and Williams LLP
Buxton
Dalton Law Limited
Also known as Chubb & Co
Matlock
Edward Hands & Lewis Limited
Also known as R a Wilkinson & Co, Marsh Brown & Co, Pricketts, Ehl Commercial, Sheltons, H Pipes & Co
Melbourne
Ellis-fermor & Negus Limited
Ripley
Flint Bishop Limited
Also known as Fb Training, Fb Costs
Derby
Franklin & Co. Solicitors Limited
Bakewell
Sawarn & Co Ltd
Derby
Underwood Vinecombe LLP
Derby
Whiting & Mason Solicitors
Also known as Wm Furness and Son, Furness Evans
High Peak
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Derbyshire?
A newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Derbyshire 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 Derbyshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a general legal services solicitor in Derbyshire 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 Derbyshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Derbyshire, 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 Derbyshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Derbyshire 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.