Do lawyers make good money in UK?

Asked by: Abigail Mayer  |  Last update: September 8, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (57 votes)

Lawyer salaries in United Kingdom The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is £69,439 per year, with an average salary of £60,970 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 get paid well in the UK?

The average lawyer salary in the United Kingdom is £50,000 per year or £25.64 per hour. Entry level positions start at £40,559 per year while most experienced workers make up to £78,000 per year.

Is law a good career in the UK?

Employers throughout the world have long favoured UK law graduates, so a UK law degree can open doors wherever you intend to work. A UK law degree also opens up a wide number of professional opportunities, whether students wish to work in justice and criminology, journalism, or politics.

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.

Are lawyers in high demand in the UK?

Corporate lawyers are in high demand, driven by the UK's dynamic business environment. Companies, both large and small, require legal expertise to navigate complex regulations, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and corporate governance.

Starmer EXPOSED! Caught LYING & SHAMED at PMQs in Fiery Showdown!

42 related questions found

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.

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.

Who earns more doctors or lawyers 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.

Which country pays lawyers most?

The United States of America offers the highest annual salary for Lawyers, which ranges around USD 167,783. Q. Which country has a demand for Lawyers? The United States of America, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland offer many jobs for Lawyers.

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.

Is law oversaturated in the UK?

Yes, it is beyond saturated - it is supersaturated. We churn out many more lawyers each year than the system can possibly absorb. Some people complain about that endlessly.

Is law a hard degree in the UK?

Kieran's tips for students considering a law degree

A law degree is challenging. You will read complex cases, historic legal principles and plenty of academic commentary on subjects, so it is critical that you can extract relevant information and digest it properly.

Which field of law is best in UK?

Corporate law

If you thrive on challenges, want a high salary and have an excellent academic background then you'll suit this area of law.

What is the richest type of lawyer in the UK?

The most profitable legal area is commercial and corporate law, where solicitors can easily earn over £100,000 a year. Commercial lawyers provide business-related advice to companies, making sure that they comply with regulation and a particular country's legal system.

Is law a good career in England?

The UK is home to hundreds of national and international law firms, including some of the world's biggest. These offer excellent opportunities for work experience and career development.

Which field of law makes the most money?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.

Which type of lawyer is the richest?

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.

How much does a lawyer make in Canada?

Lawyer salaries in Canada

The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is $116,145 per year, with an average salary of $103,175 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.

Are lawyers in demand in the UK?

According to recent insights from the LexisNexis GLP Index, property, immigration, restructuring, and insolvency law are projected to experience the strongest demand growth in 2025. This mirrors the increasing demand across several core practice areas, each driven by unique economic and social factors.

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.

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.

Are dentists richer than doctors in UK?

In terms of lifetime earning potential, due to the shorter training periods, Dentists earn more in the UK than Doctors.

How to earn 500k a year in the UK?

salary 500k jobs
  1. Quantity Surveyor. Integrated Water Services (M&E) ...
  2. Weekend Pharmacist. New. ...
  3. Senior Estimator. New. ...
  4. Project Manager. New. ...
  5. Financial Adviser. New. ...
  6. Strengthen your profile. What are your desired job types? ...
  7. Associate Director - Accountancy Practice. Trial Balance Consulting. ...
  8. Junior Doctor. Manual.

What jobs pay 250k a year in the UK?

salary 250k jobs
  • Pre-Contract Manager. Stonbury Ltd3.1. ...
  • Head Prep Chef (Pitmaster) New. ...
  • Commissioning Engineer. Integrated Water Services (M&E) ...
  • Electrical Project Manager. Options Resourcing Ltd2.2. ...
  • Electrical Supervisor. Options Resourcing Ltd2.2. ...
  • Strengthen your profile. ...
  • Senior Recruitment Consultant. ...
  • Account Director - London.

What is considered a great salary in UK?

According to the Office of National Statistics, as of November 2023, high- and low-paid employees earned a gross hourly wage of £23.82 and £10.59, respectively. High-income earners make a gross income of £45,334 per annum, while low-income earners make a gross income of £20,155 per annum.