Planning Solicitor Salary in Essex 2026
Salary benchmarks for planning solicitors in Essex, 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 8 regulated firms in the area.
View Planning firms and jobs in Essex→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for planning solicitors in Essex 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) | £49,500 £39,500–£59,500 | £53,000 £44,000–£64,000 | £64,000 £52,000–£80,500 | £54,500 £46,000–£67,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £56,500 £45,000–£68,000 | £61,500 £50,500–£73,500 | £72,500 £58,000–£93,000 | £63,000 £52,500–£77,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £66,000 £52,500–£80,000 | £71,500 £58,500–£86,000 | £85,000 £66,000–£112,000 | £73,500 £59,000–£92,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £78,000 £59,500–£97,000 | £83,500 £66,000–£103,500 | £101,500 £77,500–£134,500 | £86,000 £67,000–£110,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £88,000 £68,000–£115,500 | £99,000 £77,000–£130,000 | £122,000 £91,000–£165,500 | £103,000 £79,000–£136,500 |
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 Essex. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,500–£59,500
8+ PQE: up to £115,500
Regional / Mid-size
£53,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£64,000
8+ PQE: up to £130,000
City / National
£64,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £52,000–£80,500
8+ PQE: up to £165,500
In-house
£54,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,000–£67,000
8+ PQE: up to £136,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Essex 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 | £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 | £33,000 £31,000–£36,500 | £36,500 £33,000–£40,500 | £39,000 £34,000–£44,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,000 |
| 1-3 years | £35,000 £32,500–£39,000 | £39,500 £35,000–£44,000 | £43,500 £38,000–£50,500 | £41,000 £35,500–£47,500 |
| 3-5 years | £39,500 £35,000–£44,000 | £44,000 £38,500–£50,500 | £49,000 £41,500–£58,500 | £45,000 £39,000–£53,500 |
| 5+ years | £44,000 £38,500–£51,500 | £49,500 £42,000–£60,500 | £56,000 £46,500–£68,500 | £51,500 £43,000–£63,000 |
Planning Firms in Essex
Regulated planning firms in Essex on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Attwaters Solicitors LLP
Loughton
Birketts LLP
Chelmsford
Dadds LLP
Billericay
Geldards LLP
Chelmsford
Holmes & Hills LLP
Also known as Blackwater Law
Colchester
Jefferies Essex LLP
Also known as Jefferies, Essex Personal Injury Lawyers
Chelmsford
Knights Professional Services Limited
Also known as Cl Medilaw, Integrar, Knights
Colchester
Roythornes LLP
Colchester
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in Essex?
Newly qualified planning solicitors in Essex typically earn between £39,500 and £80,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £49,500, mid-size firms around £53,000 and City or national firms around £64,000.
What does a planning solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Essex?
At 4 to 5 PQE, planning solicitors in Essex typically earn between £52,500 and £112,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £66,000, mid-size around £71,500 and City or national firms around £85,000.
How does firm size affect planning solicitor salaries in Essex?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Essex, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £49,500, while a City or national firm may pay £64,000 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 Essex in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Essex 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.