The Lawyer has compiled trainee solicitor salaries and newly-qualified (NQ) solicitor salaries from the UK’s largest law firms.
Last full update: 3 November 2023
Last minor update: 1 May 2024
The latest salary figures are a reflection of the influence of American firms on the UK market. When Bingham McCutchen became the first firm to offer NQs £100,000 in London back in 2010, it seemed a shockingly high amount. Now, the top of the market is approaching £180,000 and many firms offer what was once the magic £100k.
The magic circle and other large international firms are having trouble keeping pace. Most have far more trainees compared to their US rivals and simply cannot afford to pay every one of them such high salaries. With this in mind, they are having to think of other ways to attract and retain talent. It is probably no coincidence that flat-rate NQ salaries are beginning to disappear at the largest firms. Many now talk about ‘salary bands’ with high performers able to earn much more than base pay. This acts as an incentive to aim for top dollar but a cynic might note it also handily obscures the actual amount the ‘average’ NQ will earn.
Salaries are rising in the London mid-tier and in the regions too, though this is less about competing with the Americans as a healthy legal sector in general. After the pay cuts of a decade ago, followed by years of freezes, law firm salaries have been motoring for a few years now and this shows no sign of stopping… though of course the same was true in 2007.
This data was collated in summer 2023 and updates take place periodically. The last full update of the entire table took place on 3 November 2023.
Trainee and newly qualified solicitor salaries
Note: some firms are now announcing maximum possible NQ salaries, including both base pay and a maximum potential bonus. Like-for-like comparisons should be approached with care. N/D = not disclosed. Blank (*) columns indicate no regional/London training contract exists.
It’s very interesting to see how much NQ salaries have jumped but it is in line with our somewhat wild property inflation and general cost of living. What is curious is if the same lawyer receiving 125, 145, or 180k as an NQ at either a magic circle or US firm we’re to have 10-15 years and apply in house for a role as head of legal with much more responsibility in many cases that would not be paid more than as an NQ. Unless GC for eg hedge fund, oil company etc… I think this would be a really interesting area for the lawyer to write on. Ie what is the „future“ of law when people start at X (which I think given housing/living prices, prior academic achievement, working hours etc is fair) but ten years later with real experience many would be earning not much more