Residential Property Solicitor Salary in Dorset 2026
Salary benchmarks for residential property solicitors in Dorset, 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 40 regulated firms in the area.
View Residential Property firms and jobs in Dorset→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for residential property solicitors in Dorset 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) | £40,500 £32,500–£48,500 | £44,500 £35,500–£53,500 | £51,000 £40,500–£61,000 | £46,500 £37,500–£56,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £46,500 £37,000–£56,000 | £51,000 £40,500–£61,500 | £58,000 £46,500–£70,000 | £53,000 £42,500–£64,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £54,000 £43,000–£65,500 | £59,500 £47,500–£72,000 | £67,500 £53,500–£81,500 | £62,000 £49,000–£75,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £64,000 £48,500–£79,500 | £70,500 £53,500–£87,500 | £80,000 £61,000–£99,000 | £73,500 £56,000–£91,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £72,000 £56,000–£94,500 | £79,500 £61,500–£104,000 | £90,000 £70,000–£118,500 | £83,000 £64,500–£108,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How residential property solicitor pay varies across firm types in Dorset. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£40,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £32,500–£48,500
8+ PQE: up to £94,500
Regional / Mid-size
£44,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,500–£53,500
8+ PQE: up to £104,000
City / National
£51,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£61,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,500
In-house
£46,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £37,500–£56,000
8+ PQE: up to £108,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Dorset residential property 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 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£32,500 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 |
| 5+ years | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,000 £31,500–£39,000 |
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 | £27,000 £26,000–£28,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £25,000–£27,500 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £26,500–£29,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,500 £25,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,000 £27,000–£31,500 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £29,000 £27,500–£32,000 | £29,000 £27,500–£32,000 | £31,000 £29,000–£34,500 |
| 1-3 years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£34,500 | £31,000 £28,500–£34,500 | £33,500 £30,500–£37,000 |
| 3-5 years | £32,500 £29,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£39,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£39,000 | £37,500 £33,500–£41,500 |
| 5+ years | £36,000 £31,500–£42,500 | £39,000 £34,000–£46,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£46,000 | £41,500 £36,500–£48,500 |
Residential Property Firms in Dorset
Regulated residential property firms in Dorset on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Battens Solicitors Limited
Sherborne
Blanchards Bailey LLP
Blandford Forum
Chester and Co
Bournemouth
Clarke Rowe Solicitors Ltd
Poole
Coles Miller Solicitors LLP
Also known as Coles Miller Claims Uk, Serious Injury Solicitors
Poole
Dibbens
Wimborne
Dixon Stewart LLP
Highcliffe
Druitts Limited
Bournemouth
Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP
Swanage
Farnfields LLP
Gillingham
Frettens LLP
Christchurch
Gales Solicitors Limited
Bournemouth
Genesis Legal Services Limited
Also known as Genesis Legal
Ferndown
Harold G Walker
Wimborne
Showing 15 of 40 firms. See all firms in Dorset
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified residential property solicitor in Dorset?
A newly qualified residential property solicitor in Dorset earns between £35,500 and £53,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £44,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a residential property solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Dorset?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a residential property solicitor in Dorset earns between £47,500 and £72,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £59,500.
How does firm size affect residential property solicitor salaries in Dorset?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Dorset, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £40,500, while a City or national firm may pay £51,000 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 Dorset in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Dorset start at around £25,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £37,000 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.