Planning Solicitor Salary in West Yorkshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for planning solicitors in West Yorkshire, 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 31 regulated firms in the area.
View Planning firms and jobs in West Yorkshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for planning solicitors in West Yorkshire 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 West Yorkshire. 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 West Yorkshire 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 West Yorkshire
Regulated planning firms in West Yorkshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Leeds
Ashtons Legal LLP
Also known as Heslop and Platt
Leeds
Blacks Solicitors LLP
Also known as Blacks Connect
Leeds
Clarion Solicitors Limited
Leeds
Crabtree Chadwick Solicitors
Pudsey
Dac Beachcroft LLP
Leeds
Dla Piper Uk LLP
Leeds
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
Leeds
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
Leeds
Freeths LLP
Leeds
Gateley PLC
Leeds
Gowling Wlg (uk) LLP
Leeds
Hammond Suddards Trustees Limited
Leeds
Helen Davies Solicitor
Batley
Hill Dickinson LLP
Leeds
Showing 15 of 31 firms. See all firms in West Yorkshire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in West Yorkshire?
Newly qualified planning solicitors in West Yorkshire 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 West Yorkshire?
At 4 to 5 PQE, planning solicitors in West Yorkshire 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 West Yorkshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in West Yorkshire, 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 West Yorkshire in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in West Yorkshire 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.