Planning Solicitor Salary in Greater Manchester 2026
Salary benchmarks for planning 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 40 regulated firms in the area.
View Planning firms and jobs in Greater Manchester→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for planning 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) | £48,000 £38,500–£57,500 | £51,000 £42,500–£62,000 | £62,000 £50,000–£78,500 | £53,000 £45,000–£65,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £55,000 £43,500–£66,000 | £60,000 £49,000–£71,500 | £70,500 £56,000–£90,500 | £61,000 £51,000–£75,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £64,000 £50,500–£77,500 | £69,500 £56,500–£83,000 | £82,500 £64,500–£108,500 | £71,500 £57,000–£89,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £76,000 £57,500–£94,000 | £81,000 £64,000–£100,500 | £98,500 £75,500–£130,500 | £83,500 £65,000–£107,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £85,500 £66,000–£112,000 | £96,000 £74,500–£126,000 | £118,500 £88,500–£160,500 | £100,000 £76,500–£132,500 |
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 Greater Manchester. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £112,000
Regional / Mid-size
£51,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,500–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £126,000
City / National
£62,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £50,000–£78,500
8+ PQE: up to £160,500
In-house
£53,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£65,000
8+ PQE: up to £132,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Greater Manchester 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 | £26,000 £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 | £32,000 £30,000–£35,000 | £35,000 £32,000–£39,500 | £37,500 £33,000–£43,000 | £35,500 £31,500–£40,500 |
| 1-3 years | £34,000 £31,500–£38,000 | £38,500 £34,000–£42,500 | £42,000 £36,500–£49,000 | £39,500 £34,500–£46,000 |
| 3-5 years | £38,500 £34,000–£42,500 | £42,500 £37,500–£49,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£56,500 | £44,000 £37,500–£52,000 |
| 5+ years | £42,500 £37,500–£50,000 | £48,000 £40,500–£58,500 | £54,000 £45,000–£66,500 | £50,000 £42,000–£61,000 |
Planning Firms in Greater Manchester
Regulated planning firms in Greater Manchester on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aaron & Partners LLP
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Manchester
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Manchester
Asserson Law Offices
Also known as Asserson
Manchester
Bexley Beaumont Limited
Manchester
Browne Jacobson LLP
Manchester
Busbys Solicitors Limited
Also known as Dart Legal Services, Ccj Help, Move Sure Conveyancing, Pa Claim Uk
Manchester
Clarion Solicitors Limited
Manchester
Clarke Willmott LLP
Manchester
Clyde & Co LLP
Also known as Clyde & Co (practising As Clyde & Co Llp)
Salford
Cms Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Manchester
Dac Beachcroft LLP
Manchester
Davitt Jones Bould Limited
Manchester
Dla Piper Uk LLP
Manchester
Eversheds Sutherland (international) LLP
Also known as Eversheds Sutherland (international) LLP (abu Dhabi Branch), Eversheds Sutherland (international) LLP (dubai Branch), Konexo, Eversheds Sutherland, Eversheds Sutherland (international) LLP (qatar Branch), Eversheds Sutherlands (international) LLP (beijing Representative Office), Eversheds Sutherlands (international) LLP (shanghai Representative Office), Konexo Uk
Salford
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in Greater Manchester?
Newly qualified planning solicitors in Greater Manchester typically earn between £38,500 and £78,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £48,000, mid-size firms around £51,000 and City or national firms around £62,000.
What does a planning solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Greater Manchester?
At 4 to 5 PQE, planning solicitors in Greater Manchester typically earn between £50,500 and £108,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £64,000, mid-size around £69,500 and City or national firms around £82,500.
How does firm size affect planning 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 £48,000, while a City or national firm may pay £62,000 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.