General Legal Services Solicitor Salary in West Yorkshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for general legal services solicitors in West Yorkshire, 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 89 regulated firms in the area.
View General Legal Services firms and jobs in West Yorkshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for general legal services solicitors in West Yorkshire 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 West Yorkshire. 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 West Yorkshire 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 West Yorkshire
Regulated general legal services firms in West Yorkshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Arc Pensions Law LLP
Leeds
Ashtons Legal LLP
Also known as Heslop and Platt
Leeds
Atkinson Firth Solicitors Limited
Shipley
Beachwood Solicitors Ltd
Leeds
Bentley Agency Law Limited
Pudsey
Bevan Brittan LLP
Leeds
Blackstone Law Services Ltd
Also known as Blackstone Legal
Bradford
Brabners LLP
Leeds
Bury & Walkers LLP
Leeds
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Leeds
Clarion Solicitors Limited
Leeds
Classis Partnership Limited
Also known as Classis Law
Leeds
Cohen Davis Limited
Also known as Internet Law Experts (practising Style for Internet Law Experts Ltd), The Internet Law Centre, Defamation Lawyers
Leeds
D Burke & Co Limited
Leeds
Dac Beachcroft Claims Limited
Also known as 8 Dac Beachcroft Buildings
Leeds
Showing 15 of 89 firms. See all firms in West Yorkshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified general legal services solicitor in West Yorkshire?
Newly qualified general legal services solicitors in West Yorkshire typically earn between £35,000 and £75,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £43,500, mid-size firms around £46,500 and City or national firms around £60,000.
What does a general legal services solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in West Yorkshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, general legal services solicitors in West Yorkshire typically earn between £46,000 and £105,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £58,000, mid-size around £63,000 and City or national firms around £79,500.
How does firm size affect general legal services solicitor salaries in West Yorkshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in West Yorkshire, 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 West Yorkshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in West Yorkshire 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.