General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in Staffordshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in Staffordshire, 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 15 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in Staffordshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in Staffordshire 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) | £43,000 £34,000–£51,500 | £45,500 £38,000–£55,000 | £59,000 £47,500–£74,000 | £49,500 £42,000–£61,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £49,000 £39,000–£59,000 | £53,000 £43,500–£63,500 | £66,500 £53,000–£85,500 | £57,000 £47,500–£70,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £57,000 £45,000–£69,000 | £62,000 £50,500–£74,000 | £78,000 £61,000–£102,500 | £66,500 £53,000–£83,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £67,500 £51,500–£83,500 | £72,000 £57,000–£89,500 | £93,000 £71,500–£123,500 | £78,000 £61,000–£100,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £76,000 £59,000–£100,000 | £85,500 £66,500–£112,000 | £112,000 £83,500–£152,000 | £93,000 £71,500–£123,500 |
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 Staffordshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£43,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £34,000–£51,500
8+ PQE: up to £100,000
Regional / Mid-size
£45,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,000–£55,000
8+ PQE: up to £112,000
City / National
£59,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £47,500–£74,000
8+ PQE: up to £152,000
In-house
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,000–£61,000
8+ PQE: up to £123,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Staffordshire 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 | £25,500 £24,000–£27,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,500 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £33,500 £29,500–£38,000 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £34,000 £30,500–£40,000 | £40,000 £34,500–£47,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£43,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,500 £24,000–£27,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£31,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£39,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 |
| 5+ years | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £28,000–£35,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£40,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £28,500 £26,500–£31,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 | £33,500 £29,500–£38,000 |
| 1-3 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£38,000 | £40,000 £34,500–£46,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£43,000 |
| 3-5 years | £34,000 £30,500–£38,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£43,500 | £45,000 £38,000–£53,500 | £41,000 £35,000–£48,500 |
| 5+ years | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £43,000 £36,000–£52,500 | £51,500 £43,000–£62,500 | £46,500 £39,000–£57,000 |
General Legal Services Firms in Staffordshire
Regulated general legal services firms in Staffordshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
A H Brooks Solicitors Limited
Also known as Ah Brooks & Co (practising Style for Ah Brooks Solicitors Limited)
Leek
Chesworths Legal Limited
Stoke-on-trent
Cj & Co Consult Ltd
Also known as Cj & Co Solicitors
Stoke-on-trent
Gallagher Bassett Legal Solutions (uk) Limited
Also known as Caytons, Strata Solicitors, Strata Solicitors - a Gallagher Bassett Company, Caytons a Gallagher Bassett Company
Tamworth
Glaisyers
Tamworth
Harrison Drury & Co Ltd
Stoke-on-trent
John Burton Solicitors Limited
Stone
Leadbeater and Kay Solicitors Limited
Stoke-on-trent
Mark Redler Solicitors Limited
Stafford
Roseblade & Co
Burntwood
Simon Stowe
Cannock
Simon Stowe (solicitors) Limited
Cannock
Stevens Defence LLP
Stoke-on-trent
Talbots Law Ltd
Codsall
Whiteheads Solicitors (staffordshire) Ltd
Also known as Whiteheads Solicitors
Newcastle
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in Staffordshire?
Newly qualified general legal services solicitors in Staffordshire typically earn between £34,000 and £74,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £43,000, mid-size firms around £45,500 and City or national firms around £59,000.
What does a general legal services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Staffordshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, general legal services solicitors in Staffordshire typically earn between £45,000 and £102,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £57,000, mid-size around £62,000 and City or national firms around £78,000.
How does firm size affect general legal services solicitor salaries in Staffordshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Staffordshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £43,000, while a City or national firm may pay £59,000 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 Staffordshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Staffordshire typically earn between £24,000 and £29,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £25,500 and mid-size firms around £27,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £28,500 to £40,000, with boutique firms around £31,500 and mid-size around £34,000, 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.