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 147 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) | £43,500 £35,000–£52,500 | £46,500 £39,000–£56,500 | £60,000 £48,500–£75,500 | £50,500 £42,500–£62,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £50,000 £40,000–£60,000 | £54,500 £44,500–£65,000 | £68,000 £54,500–£87,500 | £58,000 £48,500–£72,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £58,000 £46,000–£70,500 | £63,000 £51,500–£75,500 | £79,500 £62,000–£105,000 | £68,000 £54,500–£85,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £69,000 £52,500–£85,500 | £73,500 £58,000–£91,000 | £95,000 £73,000–£126,000 | £79,500 £62,000–£102,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £77,500 £60,000–£102,000 | £87,500 £68,000–£114,500 | £114,500 £85,500–£155,000 | £95,000 £73,000–£126,000 |
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 Greater Manchester. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£43,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£52,500
8+ PQE: up to £102,000
Regional / Mid-size
£46,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,000–£56,500
8+ PQE: up to £114,500
City / National
£60,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £48,500–£75,500
8+ PQE: up to £155,000
In-house
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,500–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £126,000
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 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 |
| 1-3 years | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £33,500 £30,000–£38,500 | £31,000 £28,000–£35,000 |
| 3-5 years | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,500 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £40,500 £35,500–£48,500 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 5+ years | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£36,000 | £38,000 £33,000–£44,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £29,000 £27,000–£32,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£41,500 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 |
| 1-3 years | £31,000 £28,500–£34,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£39,000 | £40,500 £35,500–£47,500 | £38,000 £33,000–£43,500 |
| 3-5 years | £35,000 £31,000–£39,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£44,500 | £46,000 £39,000–£55,000 | £41,500 £36,000–£49,500 |
| 5+ years | £39,000 £34,000–£45,500 | £43,500 £37,000–£53,500 | £52,500 £43,500–£64,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£58,000 |
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.
A&a Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Adco Legal Limited
Bury
Agh Solicitors
Bolton
Alderman Solicitors
Manchester
Alexander Shaw Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Amicus Solicitors Ltd
Also known as Imaan Solicitors
Manchester
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Manchester
Ask Legal Solicitors Limited
Cheadle
Aubrey Isaacson Solicitors LLP
Also known as Isaacson & Partners
Manchester
B J McKenna & Co Solicitors LLP
Also known as Willsolicitor
Stockport
Baker Street Legal Limited
Manchester
Bermans Limited
Manchester
Betesh Middleton Law Limited
Cheadle
Birstall Myers Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Blackstone Solicitors Limited
Altrincham
Showing 15 of 147 firms. See all firms in Greater Manchester
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Greater Manchester?
Newly qualified general legal services solicitors in Greater Manchester typically earn between £35,000 and £56,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £43,500 and mid-size firms around £46,500.
What does a general legal services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Greater Manchester?
At 4 to 5 PQE, general legal services solicitors in Greater Manchester typically earn between £46,000 and £75,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £58,000 and mid-size around £63,000.
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 £43,500, while a City or national firm may pay £60,000 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 Greater Manchester in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Greater Manchester typically earn between £24,500 and £30,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £26,000 and mid-size firms around £27,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £29,000 to £40,500, with boutique firms around £32,000 and mid-size around £35,000, 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.