General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in Greater Manchester 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services 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 9 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in Greater Manchester→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services 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) | £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 Greater Manchester. 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 Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester
Regulated general legal services firms in Greater Manchester on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aubrey Isaacson Solicitors LLP
Also known as Isaacson & Partners
Manchester
Bbs Law Ltd
Manchester
Clough & Willis
Bolton
Hd Law Limited
Manchester
North Ainley
Oldham
Seddon Thomson
Manchester
Silverdale Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Sleigh Son & Booth
Also known as Booth Ince & Knowles, Sleigh & Son
Manchester
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
Salford
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Greater Manchester?
A newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a general legal services solicitor in Greater Manchester 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 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 £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 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.