Planning Solicitor Salary in West Midlands 2026
Salary benchmarks for planning solicitors in West Midlands, 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 41 regulated firms in the area.
View Planning firms and jobs in West Midlands→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for planning solicitors in West Midlands 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) | £47,000 £37,500–£56,500 | £50,000 £42,000–£60,500 | £61,000 £49,000–£76,500 | £52,000 £44,000–£64,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £54,000 £43,000–£65,000 | £58,500 £48,000–£70,000 | £69,000 £55,000–£88,500 | £60,000 £50,000–£74,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £62,500 £49,500–£76,000 | £68,000 £55,500–£81,500 | £80,500 £63,000–£106,000 | £70,000 £56,000–£88,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £74,000 £56,500–£92,000 | £79,500 £62,500–£98,000 | £96,500 £73,500–£128,000 | £82,000 £64,000–£104,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £83,500 £65,000–£109,500 | £94,000 £73,000–£123,500 | £116,000 £86,500–£157,500 | £98,000 £75,000–£129,500 |
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 West Midlands. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£47,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £37,500–£56,500
8+ PQE: up to £109,500
Regional / Mid-size
£50,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,000–£60,500
8+ PQE: up to £123,500
City / National
£61,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £49,000–£76,500
8+ PQE: up to £157,500
In-house
£52,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£64,000
8+ PQE: up to £129,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in West Midlands 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 | £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 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,500 | £34,500 £31,500–£38,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 1-3 years | £33,500 £31,000–£37,000 | £37,500 £33,500–£42,000 | £41,500 £36,000–£48,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£45,000 |
| 3-5 years | £37,500 £33,500–£42,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£48,000 | £46,500 £39,500–£55,500 | £43,000 £37,000–£51,000 |
| 5+ years | £42,000 £36,500–£49,000 | £47,000 £39,500–£57,500 | £53,000 £44,000–£65,000 | £49,000 £41,000–£60,000 |
Planning Firms in West Midlands
Regulated planning firms in West Midlands on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Wolverhampton
Browne Jacobson LLP
Birmingham
Clarke Willmott LLP
Birmingham
Clyde & Co LLP
Also known as Clyde & Co (practising As Clyde & Co Llp)
Birmingham
Dac Beachcroft LLP
Birmingham
Davies and Partners Solicitors Limited
Davitt Jones Bould Limited
Birmingham
Devonshire Trustees Limited
Birmingham
Dla Piper Uk LLP
Birmingham
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
Birmingham
Excello Law Limited
Also known as 458 Law, Lowry Legal, Livida Legal, Dba Law, Ocean Legal, Elevate Legal, Three Points Law, G&g Law, Preston Law, Cargo Law, Ionic Legal
Birmingham
Fbc Manby Bowdler (midlands) Limited
Wolverhampton
Field Overell LLP
Coventry
Freeths LLP
Birmingham
Gateley PLC
Birmingham
Showing 15 of 41 firms. See all firms in West Midlands
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in West Midlands?
Newly qualified planning solicitors in West Midlands typically earn between £37,500 and £76,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £47,000, mid-size firms around £50,000 and City or national firms around £61,000.
What does a planning solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in West Midlands?
At 4 to 5 PQE, planning solicitors in West Midlands typically earn between £49,500 and £106,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £62,500, mid-size around £68,000 and City or national firms around £80,500.
How does firm size affect planning solicitor salaries in West Midlands?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in West Midlands, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £47,000, while a City or national firm may pay £61,000 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 Midlands in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in West Midlands 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.