Probate & Estates Solicitor Salary in County Durham 2026
Salary benchmarks for probate & estates solicitors in County Durham, 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 59 regulated firms in the area.
View Probate & Estates firms and jobs in County Durham→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for probate & estates solicitors in County Durham 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) | £39,500 £31,500–£47,500 | £42,000 £35,000–£51,000 | £54,500 £44,000–£68,500 | £46,000 £38,500–£56,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £45,500 £36,000–£54,500 | £49,500 £40,500–£59,000 | £61,500 £49,500–£79,000 | £53,000 £44,000–£65,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £53,000 £42,000–£64,000 | £57,000 £46,500–£68,500 | £72,000 £56,500–£95,000 | £61,500 £49,500–£77,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £62,500 £47,500–£77,500 | £67,000 £53,000–£82,500 | £86,000 £66,000–£114,500 | £72,000 £56,500–£92,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £70,500 £54,500–£92,500 | £79,000 £61,500–£104,000 | £104,000 £77,500–£141,000 | £86,000 £66,000–£114,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How probate & estates solicitor pay varies across firm types in County Durham. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£39,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,500–£47,500
8+ PQE: up to £92,500
Regional / Mid-size
£42,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£51,000
8+ PQE: up to £104,000
City / National
£54,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£68,500
8+ PQE: up to £141,000
In-house
£46,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£56,500
8+ PQE: up to £114,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in County Durham probate & estates teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.
Paralegal
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£27,500 | £27,500 £25,000–£31,000 | £26,000 £24,000–£29,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£27,500 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 | £30,500 £27,500–£35,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 |
| 3-5 years | £27,000 £24,500–£29,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,500 £29,500–£38,500 | £31,000 £27,500–£35,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £31,500 £28,000–£37,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£44,000 | £34,500 £30,000–£40,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£27,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £25,000 £24,000–£27,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£33,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£30,000 |
| 3-5 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £24,500–£29,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£36,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 5+ years | £26,000 £25,000–£29,000 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,500 | £35,000 £31,000–£41,500 | £31,500 £28,000–£37,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,500 £24,500–£29,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,000 | £31,000 £27,500–£35,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£43,000 | £34,500 £30,000–£39,500 |
| 3-5 years | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £42,000 £35,000–£49,500 | £38,000 £32,500–£45,000 |
| 5+ years | £35,000 £31,000–£41,500 | £39,500 £33,500–£48,500 | £47,500 £39,500–£58,000 | £43,000 £36,000–£53,000 |
Probate & Estates Firms in County Durham
Regulated probate & estates firms in County Durham on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Ajd Law Limited
Also known as 22 Law
Stanley
Appleby Hope & Matthews
Redcar
Barbara Thubron
Durham
Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP
Also known as Bhp Law
Durham
Bryan & Co
Middlesbrough
C W Booth & Co
Bishop Auckland
Chadwick Lawrence LLP
Also known as Yorkshires Legal People, Chadlaw, Acclaim
Darlington
Clark Willis Solicitors Ltd
Darlington
Cooper Stott Solicitors Ltd
Durham
Cygnet Family Law Ltd
Also known as Cygnet Law
Redcar
Dma Law Limited
Consett
Elliott James Legal Ltd
Stockton-on-tees
Emg Solicitors Limited
Darlington
Evans & Co
Spennymoor
Freeman Johnson
Darlington
Showing 15 of 59 firms. See all firms in County Durham
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified probate & estates solicitor in County Durham?
Newly qualified probate & estates solicitors in County Durham typically earn between £31,500 and £68,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £39,500, mid-size firms around £42,000 and City or national firms around £54,500.
What does a probate & estates solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in County Durham?
At 4 to 5 PQE, probate & estates solicitors in County Durham typically earn between £42,000 and £95,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £53,000, mid-size around £57,000 and City or national firms around £72,000.
How does firm size affect probate & estates solicitor salaries in County Durham?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in County Durham, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £39,500, while a City or national firm may pay £54,500 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 County Durham in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in County Durham typically earn between £23,500 and £27,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £24,500 and mid-size firms around £25,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £26,500 to £37,000, with boutique firms around £29,000 and mid-size around £31,500, 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.