Planning Solicitor Salary in Bristol 2026
Salary benchmarks for planning solicitors in Bristol, 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 22 regulated firms in the area.
View Planning firms and jobs in Bristol→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for planning solicitors in Bristol 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) | £48,500 £39,000–£58,000 | £51,500 £43,000–£62,500 | £63,000 £50,500–£79,000 | £53,500 £45,500–£66,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £55,500 £44,000–£67,000 | £60,500 £49,500–£72,000 | £71,000 £57,000–£91,500 | £61,500 £51,500–£76,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £64,500 £51,000–£78,000 | £70,000 £57,000–£84,000 | £83,000 £65,000–£109,500 | £72,000 £57,500–£90,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £76,500 £58,000–£95,000 | £82,000 £64,500–£101,500 | £99,500 £76,000–£132,000 | £84,500 £66,000–£108,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £86,000 £67,000–£113,000 | £97,000 £75,500–£127,000 | £119,500 £89,500–£162,500 | £101,000 £77,000–£134,000 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How planning solicitor pay varies across firm types in Bristol. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£48,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,000–£58,000
8+ PQE: up to £113,000
Regional / Mid-size
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,000–£62,500
8+ PQE: up to £127,000
City / National
£63,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £50,500–£79,000
8+ PQE: up to £162,500
In-house
£53,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,500–£66,000
8+ PQE: up to £134,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Bristol planning teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.
Paralegal
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£38,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,000 £27,500–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 | £37,000 £33,000–£43,000 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 | £41,000 £36,000–£49,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£45,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,500 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,500–£27,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£33,500 |
| 3-5 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,000 | £30,000 £27,500–£32,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£40,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£36,500 |
| 5+ years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£45,000 | £35,500 £31,500–£41,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £32,500 £30,000–£35,500 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£43,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,000 |
| 1-3 years | £34,500 £32,000–£38,500 | £39,000 £34,500–£43,000 | £42,500 £37,000–£49,500 | £40,000 £35,000–£46,500 |
| 3-5 years | £39,000 £34,500–£43,000 | £43,000 £37,500–£49,500 | £48,000 £40,500–£57,500 | £44,000 £38,000–£52,500 |
| 5+ years | £43,000 £37,500–£50,500 | £48,500 £41,000–£59,500 | £55,000 £45,500–£67,000 | £50,500 £42,000–£61,500 |
Planning Firms in Bristol
Regulated planning firms in Bristol on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Acuity Law Limited
Bristol
Ashfords LLP
Bristol
Birketts LLP
Bristol
Buckles Solicitors LLP
Also known as Mediated Solutions, Buckles Castaldipartners
Bristol
Burges Salmon LLP
Bristol
Clarke Willmott LLP
Bristol
Clyde & Co LLP
Also known as Clyde & Co (practising As Clyde & Co Llp)
Bristol
Cms Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Bristol
Dac Beachcroft LLP
Bristol
Freeths LLP
Bristol
Humphreys & Co
Bristol
Knights Professional Services Limited
Also known as Cl Medilaw, Integrar, Knights
Bristol
Martin Evans
Bristol
Michelmores LLP
Bristol
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Also known as Reddens, Northelm, Lime Solicitors, Corclaim, Marrons, Mayo Wynne Baxter
Bristol
Showing 15 of 22 firms. See all firms in Bristol
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in Bristol?
A newly qualified planning solicitor in Bristol earns between £43,000 and £62,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £51,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a planning solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Bristol?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a planning solicitor in Bristol earns between £57,000 and £84,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £70,000.
How does firm size affect planning solicitor salaries in Bristol?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Bristol, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £48,500, while a City or national firm may pay £63,000 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 Bristol in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Bristol start at around £26,000 for entry-level positions and rise to £41,000 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.