Social Welfare Solicitor Salary in Greater London 2026
Salary benchmarks for social welfare solicitors in Greater London, 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 67 regulated firms in the area.
View Social Welfare firms and jobs in Greater London→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for social welfare solicitors in Greater London 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) | £51,500 £41,000–£62,000 | £55,000 £46,000–£66,500 | £77,000 £62,500–£97,000 | £63,500 £54,000–£78,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £59,000 £47,000–£71,000 | £64,000 £52,500–£76,500 | £87,000 £69,500–£112,000 | £73,500 £61,000–£90,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £68,500 £54,500–£83,000 | £74,500 £60,500–£89,000 | £102,000 £79,500–£134,500 | £85,500 £68,500–£107,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £81,000 £62,000–£100,500 | £87,000 £68,500–£107,500 | £122,000 £93,500–£162,000 | £100,000 £78,000–£128,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £91,500 £71,000–£120,000 | £103,000 £80,000–£135,000 | £147,000 £109,500–£199,500 | £120,000 £91,500–£159,000 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How social welfare solicitor pay varies across firm types in Greater London. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£51,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £41,000–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,000
Regional / Mid-size
£55,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,000–£66,500
8+ PQE: up to £135,000
City / National
£77,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £62,500–£97,000
8+ PQE: up to £199,500
In-house
£63,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £54,000–£78,000
8+ PQE: up to £159,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Greater London social welfare teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.
Paralegal
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £35,000 £33,000–£37,500 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,500 | £40,500 £37,000–£45,500 | £38,500 £35,000–£43,000 |
| 1-3 years | £37,000 £34,500–£40,500 | £39,500 £36,500–£44,000 | £45,000 £40,500–£51,500 | £41,500 £37,500–£47,000 |
| 3-5 years | £39,500 £36,500–£43,500 | £43,000 £39,000–£48,000 | £49,500 £43,500–£57,000 | £45,500 £40,500–£52,000 |
| 5+ years | £43,000 £39,000–£48,000 | £47,000 £41,500–£54,500 | £54,500 £47,500–£65,000 | £50,500 £44,000–£60,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £33,000 £32,000–£35,000 | £35,000 £33,000–£37,500 | £39,500 £36,500–£44,000 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,500 |
| 1-3 years | £34,500 £32,500–£36,500 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,500 | £43,000 £39,000–£49,000 | £39,500 £36,500–£44,000 |
| 3-5 years | £36,000 £33,000–£38,500 | £39,500 £36,500–£43,000 | £47,000 £41,500–£53,500 | £43,000 £39,000–£48,000 |
| 5+ years | £38,500 £35,000–£43,000 | £42,500 £38,500–£48,000 | £52,000 £45,500–£61,000 | £47,000 £41,500–£54,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 | £38,000 £34,500–£42,500 | £46,500 £41,000–£53,500 | £43,000 £38,000–£49,000 |
| 1-3 years | £36,500 £33,500–£40,500 | £41,000 £36,500–£46,000 | £52,500 £45,500–£61,000 | £47,500 £41,500–£55,000 |
| 3-5 years | £41,000 £36,500–£46,000 | £46,000 £40,000–£52,500 | £59,000 £50,000–£70,500 | £52,500 £45,000–£62,500 |
| 5+ years | £46,000 £40,000–£54,000 | £51,500 £43,500–£63,000 | £67,500 £56,000–£82,000 | £60,000 £50,000–£73,500 |
Social Welfare Firms in Greater London
Regulated social welfare firms in Greater London on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Amicus Lex Ltd
Also known as Lextel Solicitors
London
Arch Law Limited
London
Arkrights Solicitors
London
Arora Lodhi Heath
Also known as Alh Solicitors
London
Ash Solicitors
Hounslow
Astraea Linskills Ltd
London
Atkins & Palmer Limited
Teddington
Awan Solicitors
Croydon
Balaghi & Rose Solicitors Ltd
London
Bindmans LLP
London
Birketts LLP
London
Burke Niazi Limited
London
Cale Solicitors
London
Calices Solicitors
London
Carter Jones Solicitors
London
Showing 15 of 67 firms. See all firms in Greater London
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified social welfare solicitor in Greater London?
A newly qualified social welfare solicitor in Greater London earns between £46,000 and £66,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £55,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a social welfare solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Greater London?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a social welfare solicitor in Greater London earns between £60,500 and £89,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £74,500.
How does firm size affect social welfare solicitor salaries in Greater London?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Greater London, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £51,500, while a City or national firm may pay £77,000 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 Greater London in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Greater London start at around £34,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £54,500 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.