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 20 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) | £45,000 £36,000–£54,000 | £49,500 £39,500–£59,500 | £56,500 £45,000–£67,500 | £51,500 £41,500–£62,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £51,500 £41,000–£62,000 | £56,500 £45,000–£68,000 | £64,500 £51,500–£77,500 | £59,000 £47,000–£71,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £60,000 £47,500–£72,500 | £66,000 £52,500–£80,000 | £75,000 £59,500–£90,500 | £69,000 £54,500–£83,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £71,000 £54,000–£88,000 | £78,000 £59,500–£97,000 | £89,000 £67,500–£110,000 | £81,500 £62,000–£101,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £80,000 £62,000–£105,000 | £88,000 £68,000–£115,500 | £100,000 £77,500–£131,500 | £92,000 £71,500–£120,500 |
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
£45,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £36,000–£54,000
8+ PQE: up to £105,000
Regional / Mid-size
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,500–£59,500
8+ PQE: up to £115,500
City / National
£56,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£67,500
8+ PQE: up to £131,500
In-house
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £41,500–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,500
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 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £29,500–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £32,000–£38,500 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £38,000 £34,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £29,500 £28,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £30,000 £28,000–£33,000 | £32,500 £30,000–£35,500 | £32,500 £30,000–£35,500 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 |
| 1-3 years | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,500 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,500 | £37,000 £34,000–£41,000 |
| 3-5 years | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£43,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£43,000 | £41,500 £37,000–£46,000 |
| 5+ years | £40,000 £35,000–£47,000 | £43,000 £38,000–£51,000 | £43,000 £38,000–£51,000 | £46,000 £40,500–£54,000 |
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
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
Field Overell LLP
Coventry
Freeths LLP
Birmingham
Gateley PLC
Birmingham
Gowling Wlg (uk) LLP
Birmingham
Lawrence Kurt Solicitors Limited
Birmingham
Pearman Smith
Walsall
Pinsent Masons LLP
Birmingham
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Also known as Northelm, Marrons, Mayo Wynne Baxter, Reddens, Lime Solicitors, Corclaim
Birmingham
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in West Midlands?
A newly qualified planning solicitor in West Midlands earns between £39,500 and £59,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £49,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a planning solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in West Midlands?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a planning solicitor in West Midlands earns between £52,500 and £80,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £66,000.
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 £45,000, while a City or national firm may pay £56,500 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?
Paralegal salaries in West Midlands start at around £27,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £40,000 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.