SOC 2411 Business, media and public service professionals

Barristers and judges Salary

Median salary £34,253 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £34,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For barristers and judges, £50,915 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +30% versus the national average. Experienced barristers and judges (top 25%) earn over £60,096.

About this role

Barristers and judges provide expert legal advice, representation and services. They interpret legislation, prepare legal documents, represent clients and ensure compliance with the law across civil, criminal, commercial or specialist areas of practice.

Key responsibilities

Advising clients on legal rights, obligations and options
Preparing legal documents, contracts and court papers
Representing clients in negotiations, mediations or court proceedings
Conducting legal research and case analysis
Ensuring compliance with professional conduct rules and regulations

Qualifications and entry routes

Solicitors require a law degree (or GDL) plus SQE and qualifying work experience. Barristers require a law degree (or GDL), vocational component and pupillage. All must be admitted to the relevant professional register.

Career outlook

Competitive entry but strong demand for qualified professionals, particularly in commercial, technology, employment and regulatory law.

Key skills

Legal analysis Negotiation Written and oral advocacy Attention to detail Client management

Common industries

Law firms
In-house corporate legal teams
Public sector
Judiciary
Regulatory bodies

Data coverage

SOC code 2411

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 28,000

Median Salary

£34,253

Mean Salary

£43,732

Jobs (000s)

28k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £21,705Median: £34,253P75: £60,096

P10: --P25: £22kMedian: £34kP75: £60kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£21,705

0-2 years

Mid Level

£21,705

3-7 years

Senior

£60,096

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +177% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +6.0%Real growth: -23.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£34,253

Full-time Only

£50,915

Full-time premium: +£16,662

Barristers and judges salary: common questions

How much do barristers and judges earn in the UK?

Barristers and judges earn a median of £50,915 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £21,705 and £60,096.

Is £50,915 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for barristers and judges?

Entry-level barristers and judges typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £21,705, though this varies by employer and region.

Have barristers and judges salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median barristers and judges pay has risen from £39,140 to £50,915 — +30% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).