Do lawyers make a lot of money in UK?
Asked by: Janiya Hoeger | Last update: August 17, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)
Job site Indeed reports the average salary for a solicitor is just under £50,000 a year, based on almost 11,000 reported salaries. Of course, this figure can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned earlier, with some London based, Magic Circle firms paying experienced professionals well over £100,000 a year.
Do lawyers get paid well in the UK?
Lawyer salaries in United Kingdom
The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is £69,464 per year, with an average salary of £60,994 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
Do lawyers earn more in the UK or US?
At a glance. Trainees in London earn more than those working outside the capital. You'll earn less in smaller firms but will likely rise up the ladder quicker. USA based firms pay the highest trainee and newly-qualified salaries, followed by Magic Circle then City firms.
Is lawyer a good career in the UK?
Pay is still quite lucrative for many lawyers, but the take-home pay really depends on how hard one is willing to work for it, how well you are doing, and who they know. Solicitors' salaries can be anywhere from £32,000 to £147,500 (base salary) as a newly qualified lawyer in London.
Do lawyers make more than doctors in the UK?
Lawyers are earning an average of £92,606 each year; they are the second highest earners and beaten only by chief executives, who earn an average of £130,734, according to the ONS' 2021 data. By contrast, doctors took home £74,588 this year and dentists £59,669.
This Is How Much UK Lawyers Make - Solicitor And Barrister Salaries REVEALED!!
In which country do lawyers earn the most?
The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.
Is law harder than medicine in the UK?
If you can tough it out through the first couple of years, the ceiling for doctors is definitely higher than lawyers. Betting on making it to an MC firm can be a bit of a gamble, but doable if you lock in early and are generally interested in the career.
Can an American become a lawyer in the UK?
If you're an overseas student, in order to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, you'll need to: hold a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification (such as an apprenticeship) or work experience. complete two stages of assessment, SQE1 and SQE2. complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE)
What is the highest-paid type of lawyer UK?
Corporate law
Corporate law is the highest-paid legal specialism and the national average salary for a corporate lawyer is £70,850 per year. Corporate lawyers work on behalf of organisations and might also directly work for an organisation.
Is there a shortage of lawyers in the UK?
However, there are now growing concerns about whether there are enough qualified solicitors and barristers to ensure its proper functioning. Recent analysis and reports highlight that the system is strained by a combination of workforce shortages, funding constraints, and structural inefficiencies.
Who gets paid more US or UK?
The US is a richer society, thus wages are higher. The US economy is lower tax, less regulated, than the British.
Why are lawyers so expensive in the UK?
Like any other business, law firms have overheads such as wages, office rental costs and IT equipment. The legal industry is also highly regulated, which helps to ensure that the service provided to you is accurate and fair, and this also comes at a price.
Does law pay well in USA?
How Much Does a Lawyer Make? Lawyers made a median salary of $145,760 in 2023. The best-paid 25% made $217,360 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $98,030.
What is the highest paid job in the UK?
1. Chief Executives and Senior Officials. Unsurprisingly, chief executives like CEOs and Managing Directors have the best-paying jobs. After all, they're the highest-ranking individuals in an organisation.
Is it difficult to become a lawyer UK?
Becoming a lawyer in the UK is not a quick process by any means. It involves dedication, years of study and work experience, and ongoing professional development.
How much does Clifford Chance pay in London?
The average Clifford Chance salary ranges from approximately £24,452 per year for Paralegal to £180,347 per year for Senior Associate.
Are lawyers underpaid in UK?
Job site Indeed reports the average salary for a solicitor is just under £50,000 a year, based on almost 11,000 reported salaries. Of course, this figure can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned earlier, with some London based, Magic Circle firms paying experienced professionals well over £100,000 a year.
Where do lawyers make the most money?
The median salaries for lawyers in California, New York, and Massachusetts are the highest in the nation. A heatmap chart showing the average mean salary of lawyers by state.
What is the average UK salary?
The median average salary for full-time workers (male and female) in the UK in 2023 was £34,963 (£33,000 in 2022 and £31,285 in 2021). The mean average salary for full-time workers in the UK (male and female) in 2023 was £42,210 (£39,966 in 2022 and £38,131 in 2021).
Is UK Law degree valid in USA?
United States:
To practice law in the U.S., you'll typically need to pass the state bar exam. However, with a UK law degree, you're well-equipped to tackle this challenge. The U.S. offers a diverse range of legal careers, from corporate law and intellectual property to entertainment law.
Is there a bar exam in the UK?
The bar exam or law bar exam is a professional qualification examination for lawyers in the UK. After passing a bar exam, you can be granted permission to practice as an advocate and carry out other licensed activities done by legal professionals, e.g. property conveyancing.
What's the hardest degree in the UK?
Medicine is recognised as the hardest degree no matter what country you're studying in. Qualifying as a doctor requires a long, gruelling educational journey with a minimum of five to six years undergraduate study. You'll then face years of clinical training and continuing professional development.
What is the hardest law degree to get?
The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.
Is a law degree worth it in the UK?
Law qualifications from UK universities are commonly recognised as some of the best in the world. High standard of teaching, research led programmes and emphasis on practical law skills are among some of the reasons why a UK law degree is so valued.