General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in Hertfordshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in Hertfordshire, 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 31 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in Hertfordshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in Hertfordshire 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 | £48,000 £40,000–£58,000 | £62,000 £50,000–£78,000 | £52,000 £44,000–£64,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £51,500 £41,000–£62,000 | £56,000 £46,000–£67,000 | £70,000 £56,000–£90,000 | £60,000 £50,000–£74,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £60,000 £47,500–£72,500 | £65,000 £53,000–£78,000 | £82,000 £64,000–£108,000 | £70,000 £56,000–£88,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £71,000 £54,000–£88,000 | £76,000 £60,000–£94,000 | £98,000 £75,000–£130,000 | £82,000 £64,000–£105,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £80,000 £62,000–£105,000 | £90,000 £70,000–£118,000 | £118,000 £88,000–£160,000 | £98,000 £75,000–£130,000 |
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 Hertfordshire. 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
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,000–£58,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,000
City / National
£62,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £50,000–£78,000
8+ PQE: up to £160,000
In-house
£52,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£64,000
8+ PQE: up to £130,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Hertfordshire 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 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£35,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £34,500 £31,000–£39,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£50,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£46,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 |
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 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £37,500 £33,000–£43,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 1-3 years | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£49,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£45,000 |
| 3-5 years | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £40,000 £35,000–£46,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£56,500 | £43,000 £37,000–£51,000 |
| 5+ years | £40,000 £35,000–£47,000 | £45,000 £38,000–£55,000 | £54,000 £45,000–£66,000 | £49,000 £41,000–£60,000 |
General Legal Services Firms in Hertfordshire
Regulated general legal services firms in Hertfordshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Abbey Law Limited
St Albans
Austins LLP
Also known as Austins Penny & Thorne
Berkhamsted
Braddon & Snow Limited
Hoddesdon
Brilliance Solicitors Ltd
Hatfield
Burrows
Sawbridgeworth
C P Christou LLP
Potters Bar
Carr Richards Solicitors Ltd
Hemel Hempstead
Curwens LLP
Hoddesdon
Dbp Law Limited
Watford
Dhsolicitors Limited
Also known as Darlington Hardcastles
Rickmansworth
Edward McCourt & Company LLP
Also known as Bailey Glasser International
Watford
Els Legal Ltd
Also known as Exchange Legal Services
Borehamwood
Ewart Price
Welwyn Garden City
G R Miles & Co
Stevenage
Harrowell & Atkins
Berkhamsted
Showing 15 of 31 firms. See all firms in Hertfordshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Hertfordshire?
Newly qualified general legal services solicitors in Hertfordshire typically earn between £36,000 and £78,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £45,000, mid-size firms around £48,000 and City or national firms around £62,000.
What does a general legal services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Hertfordshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, general legal services solicitors in Hertfordshire typically earn between £47,500 and £108,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £60,000, mid-size around £65,000 and City or national firms around £82,000.
How does firm size affect general legal services solicitor salaries in Hertfordshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Hertfordshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £45,000, while a City or national firm may pay £62,000 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 Hertfordshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Hertfordshire typically earn between £25,500 and £31,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £27,000 and mid-size firms around £28,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £30,000 to £42,000, with boutique firms around £33,000 and mid-size around £36,000, 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.