What Does a Solicitor Earn?

A career as a solicitor often appeals due to its perceived high earning potential. However, if you’re planning on entering the legal profession purely for the money, it’s important to understand that solicitor salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and practice area.

Training Contracts (or Qualifying Work Experience)

If you’re training through a training contract (LPC route) or completing Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) under the SQE, salaries can vary significantly.

• There is no mandatory minimum salary, but all trainees must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
• Law Society guidance (not binding) recommends £24,320 outside of London and £26,068 in London (as of 2024).
• Large commercial firms, particularly US firms may pay more.

Newly Qualified (NQ) Solicitor Salaries

Starting salaries for newly qualified solicitors vary based on firm size, sector, and location:

• Small high street firms: From around £25,000 to £35,000
• Mid-size commercial firms: Around £40,000 to £65,000
• Large City firms (London): From £75,000 to £100,000+

Firms in London and other major cities tend to offer the highest salaries, but also demand longer working hours and more intense workloads.

Senior Solicitors and Law Firm Partners

• Solicitors with 5+ years’ experience can earn between £50,000 and £100,000+, depending on their specialism and employer.
• Equity partners in top firms may earn well over £150,000, with some partners at leading commercial firms earning £500,000+, particularly when profit shares are included.
• Smaller or regional firms may offer lower earnings, but with a better work-life balance.

Commission and Bonus Structures

Some solicitors work on a commission basis, particularly in high-volume areas like personal injury or no-win-no-fee litigation. In these cases:

• A basic salary is paid (meeting minimum wage requirements)
• Additional pay may come from bonus schemes or commissions based on results or recovered fees

Earnings under this model can fluctuate significantly and often depend on firm performance.

Benefits Beyond Salary

Larger and mid-size firms often offer a generous benefits package, which can include:

• Pension contributions
• Private health or dental insurance
• Travel loans or cycle-to-work schemes
• Professional development funding
• Bonus schemes
• Additional paid leave or flexible working policies

These perks can add significant value to a solicitor’s overall compensation.

A Note on Working Hours

Most solicitor roles are salaried, not hourly. This means:

• Overtime is not usually paid
• Long hours are common, including 12-hour days and late-night work when required

This is particularly true in commercial law and other demanding practice areas. If you’re pursuing this career, it’s important to be prepared for the time commitment alongside the financial reward.

Closing Thoughts

Salaries for solicitors can vary from modest to extremely high, depending on where and how you practise. Whether you’re aiming for a regional firm, legal aid work, or a City law firm, it’s important to weigh earning potential against workload, stress, and lifestyle.

For current guidance, you can refer to the Law Society’s recommended salary levels and individual firm listings on recruitment websites.