SOC 2412 Business, media and public service professionals

Solicitors and lawyers Salary

Median salary £53,314 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £53,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For solicitors and lawyers, £56,977 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +46% versus the national average. Experienced solicitors and lawyers (top 25%) earn over £74,190.

About this role

Solicitors and lawyers 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 2412

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 127,000

Median Salary

£53,314

Mean Salary

£68,462

Jobs (000s)

127k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £37,751Median: £53,314P75: £74,190

P10: £27kP25: £38kMedian: £53kP75: £74kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£26,807

0-2 years

Mid Level

£37,751

3-7 years

Senior

£74,190

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +177% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +12.7%Real growth: -8.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 21.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£53,314

Full-time Only

£56,977

Full-time premium: +£3,663

Solicitors and lawyers salary: common questions

How much do solicitors and lawyers earn in the UK?

Solicitors and lawyers earn a median of £56,977 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £37,751 and £74,190.

Is £56,977 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for solicitors and lawyers?

Entry-level solicitors and lawyers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £37,751, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £26,807.

Have solicitors and lawyers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median solicitors and lawyers pay has risen from £51,000 to £56,977 — +12% in cash terms, or -10% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for solicitors and lawyers?

Male solicitors and lawyers earn a median £61,668 and female solicitors and lawyers £48,554 — a gap of +21% in 2025.

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