What is a lawyer's salary UK?
Asked by: Hope Stroman | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (58 votes)
A lawyer's salary in the UK varies hugely, averaging around £60,000-£65,000 but ranging from £25,000 for trainees in smaller firms to over £180,000 for newly qualified (NQ) solicitors at top City/US firms, and even millions for partners, with significant jumps for experience, location (London pays more), and specialisation like corporate law. Barristers' earnings also vary, averaging £50,000-£200,000+.
How much are lawyers paid in the UK?
How much do lawyers make in the UK? Lawyer salaries in the UK vary widely based on experience, firm type, and specialisation. Newly qualified solicitors earn between £40,000 – £150,000, while partners can make six to seven figures. Barristers' earnings range from £50,000 to £200,000+, depending on their expertise.
Which country pays lawyers 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 a lawyer a high paying job in the UK?
In the UK, the legal industry has the highest paying starting salaries, with graduates earning an average of £42,250 per year. At some law firms, graduates are even starting out on as much as £150,000 per year.
Is $40,000 a year a good salary in the UK?
£40,000 is above the UK average salary (£32,736 according to the ONS, 2024) and represents a solid middle-income by national standards. Net take-home pay after tax and National Insurance is about £32,319 per year, or £2,693 per month.
This Is How Much UK Lawyers Make - Solicitor And Barrister Salaries REVEALED!!
Is $100,000 a good salary in the UK?
Yes, £100k is a very good salary in the UK, placing you in the top 5% of earners and allowing for a comfortable lifestyle, though its real value depends heavily on location (especially London vs. rest of UK) and personal responsibilities like family and mortgage, as high taxes (including the "60% tax trap") and living costs can significantly impact disposable income.
What jobs pay 300k a year in the UK?
300k salary jobs
- Head of AI. Durlston Partners —London. ...
- Business Finance Broker- Fully Remote. Dobson Welch —Gloucester. ...
- New Homes Sales Manager. ...
- Condition Monitoring Lubrication Technician. ...
- Infrastructure Support Engineer. ...
- Implementation Consultant- HR & Payroll Software. ...
- Contract & Small Works Manager. ...
- Senior Project Manager.
What is the richest type of lawyer in the UK?
Corporate law remains one of the most lucrative areas, particularly for those working at top-tier international firms. Lawyers in this sector advise businesses on mergers, acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance.
What type of lawyer gets paid most?
The highest-paid lawyers are often in specialized fields like Patent Law, requiring science/engineering backgrounds, and Corporate Law, especially those advising major firms, plus Securities & Antitrust Lawyers, Medical Malpractice, and Intellectual Property (IP) Law, where high stakes and complex regulations drive huge incomes, particularly in BigLaw or in-house roles with bonuses.
How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?
To earn $500,000 a year as a lawyer, you need a strategic combination of specializing in high-paying fields (like corporate, IP, or plaintiff-side personal injury/class action), mastering business development through robust lead generation (SEO, PPC, referrals), and potentially moving into leadership roles like Big Law equity partner or becoming a renowned expert/mediator in a niche, leveraging strong marketing and scalable firm operations rather than just billable hours.
What is the #1 law firm in the world?
There isn't one single "number 1" law firm, as rankings vary by criteria (revenue, size, prestige, specific practice), but Kirkland & Ellis consistently ranks as the #1 highest-grossing firm globally by revenue, exceeding $8.8 billion in 2024, followed by firms like Latham & Watkins and DLA Piper. For prestige or "feared" status, firms like Quinn Emanuel might top lists, while others excel in specific areas like M&A or IP, so "best" depends on the context.
What is the best country to become a lawyer in?
The US stands as the leading destination for law studies, home to prestigious institutions such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and Stanford Law School. Ranking #1 in quality of education, the US offers comprehensive legal training across specialties like corporate law, public interest law, and technology law.
How many years to become a lawyer in the UK?
This route includes the completion of a law degree and usually takes around 5 to 6 years. You'll need your employer's support to join it. You'll also need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), which has 2 parts, and do 2 years' qualifying work experience. The apprenticeship will prepare you for the SQE exams.
Are lawyers underpaid in the UK?
According to job sites such as Indeed and Reed, the average salary for a solicitor in the UK is between £40,000 and £55,000 a year, although large, London-based and Magic circle firms often pay far in excess of this.
How many hours do lawyers typically work?
Lawyers typically work more than a standard 40-hour week, with hours varying significantly by firm size and practice area; big firm lawyers might average 60-80+ hours (driven by billable hour requirements), while those in government or smaller firms often work closer to 40-50 hours, though busy periods, client demands, and administrative tasks mean long days are common across the profession.
Are lawyers usually millionaires?
While a law degree alone won't guarantee millionaire status, lawyers who specialize in high-paying legal fields, scale their practice, and consistently generate legal leads have the potential to earn millions.
What jobs pay 200k a year in the UK?
531 200000 Salary Jobs in United Kingdom (35 new)
- Assistant Trade Marketing Manager. ...
- Entry-Level Quantitative Strategist. ...
- Information Technology Business Analyst. ...
- Recruitment Consultant. ...
- Brand Marketing Content & Partnerships Executive. ...
- Research Scientist/Data Analyst (Remote EU, B2B contract) ...
- Assistant General Manager.
Is it worth being a lawyer in the UK?
Qualified lawyers often see high salaries and have a higher earning potential, with top barristers and solicitors in leading UK law firms earning salaries over £100,000 a year.
What jobs make $500,000 a year in the UK?
Jobs paying £500k a year in the UK are typically high-level executive, finance, legal, or specialist consulting roles, often found in London, including roles like Chief Management Consultant, senior lawyers, hedge fund managers, investment bankers, or FAANG tech leaders, alongside high-performing sales roles (like Enterprise Account Executive) or senior brokers, though many general job sites list projects up to £500k rather than salaries of £500k.
How rare is a 100k salary in the UK?
Benefits of income over £100k
But of course, the biggest positive is that you've earned it and that puts you in the top 2% of earners in the UK if you are male and the top 1% for women.
What jobs pay $4000 a month in the UK?
Jobs paying around £4,000 a month (£48k/year) in the UK cover various sectors like healthcare (Perinatal Practitioner, Mental Health Clinician), tech/engineering (Software Engineer, Engineer roles), logistics (Regional Logistics Manager, Class 1/2 Drivers), skilled trades, sales, senior admin/management, and even some specialized freelance/contract roles, with opportunities in NHS, Army, delivery services (DPD, Evri), and corporate sectors. Roles often require experience, specific qualifications, or are based in high-demand areas like London, but some roles, like Army Reserve Soldier, offer significant earnings with training.
What is considered wealthy in the UK?
A £213,000 annual income is deemed enough to be wealthy
When asked what you need to be considered wealthy, participants in the HSBC report suggested an average annual income of £213,000 was the threshold in the UK – more than six times the national average salary.
Is $500,000 a good salary?
More than half of six-figure earners no longer feel financially successful—and they revealed that they'd need a sky-high salary of $500,000 to feel comfortable in today's economy. Just 20 years ago, those making $170,000 were considered upper-class.
How many people earn over 500k in the UK?
Some 26,000 people earning £500,000 or more take home more in a month (£21,500) than those on average salaries earn in a year (£20,500 after tax). Yet our figures show that there are 6.75 million workers earning less than £800 a month.