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 26 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) | £50,500 £40,500–£61,000 | £55,500 £44,500–£67,000 | £63,500 £50,500–£76,000 | £58,000 £46,500–£70,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £58,000 £46,000–£70,000 | £63,500 £50,500–£76,500 | £72,500 £58,000–£87,000 | £66,500 £53,000–£80,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £67,500 £53,500–£81,500 | £74,500 £59,000–£90,000 | £84,500 £67,000–£102,000 | £77,500 £61,500–£94,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £80,000 £61,000–£99,000 | £88,000 £67,000–£109,000 | £100,000 £76,000–£124,000 | £91,500 £70,000–£113,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £90,000 £70,000–£118,000 | £99,000 £76,500–£130,000 | £112,500 £87,000–£148,000 | £103,500 £80,500–£135,500 |
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
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£61,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,000
Regional / Mid-size
£55,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,500–£67,000
8+ PQE: up to £130,000
City / National
£63,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £50,500–£76,000
8+ PQE: up to £148,000
In-house
£58,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,500–£70,000
8+ PQE: up to £135,500
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 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £26,000 £25,000–£28,000 | £26,000 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £26,500–£30,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£28,000 | £27,500 £26,000–£30,000 | £27,500 £26,000–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £31,500 £29,000–£34,500 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,000 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,500–£28,000 | £26,500 £25,500–£28,500 | £26,500 £25,500–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,500–£30,500 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £26,000–£29,500 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £34,000 £31,500–£37,000 | £36,500 £34,000–£40,000 | £36,500 £34,000–£40,000 | £39,000 £36,000–£43,000 |
| 1-3 years | £36,000 £33,000–£40,000 | £39,000 £36,000–£43,000 | £39,000 £36,000–£43,000 | £41,500 £38,500–£46,000 |
| 3-5 years | £40,500 £36,000–£45,000 | £43,500 £39,000–£48,500 | £43,500 £39,000–£48,500 | £46,500 £41,500–£52,000 |
| 5+ years | £45,000 £39,500–£53,000 | £48,500 £42,500–£57,000 | £48,500 £42,500–£57,000 | £52,000 £45,500–£61,000 |
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.
Barbara Thubron
Durham
Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP
Also known as Bhp Law
Darlington
C W Booth & Co
Bishop Auckland
Cooper Stott Solicitors Ltd
Durham
Dma Law Limited
Darlington
Emg Solicitors Limited
Durham
Evans & Co
Spennymoor
Freeman Johnson
Darlington
Hewitts
Bishop Auckland
Kenneth M Barrow & Co Limited
Seaham
Latimer Hinks Solicitors Limited
Darlington
Lever Law Limited
Durham
MacKs Solicitors Limited
Darlington
McGarry Law LLP
Also known as Smith Roddam
Barnard Castle
Meikles Solicitors LLP
Spennymoor
Showing 15 of 26 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?
A newly qualified probate & estates solicitor in County Durham earns between £44,500 and £67,000 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £55,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a probate & estates solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in County Durham?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a probate & estates solicitor in County Durham earns between £59,000 and £90,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £74,500.
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 £50,500, while a City or national firm may pay £63,500 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?
Paralegal salaries in County Durham start at around £25,000 for entry-level positions and rise to £36,000 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.