Legal Services

Legal Services Salary Guide for 2024

Accurate commentary for salary reviews, recruitment of staff, and retention of key talent is now absolutely essential. Published in February 2024, we have created our most comprehensive and up-to-date guide on pay and reward in the Northern Ireland marketplace.

The tables below provide guidance on basic salary levels for a range of positions. No consideration of benefits, bonuses, or other emoluments is included in these ranges. The information has been summarised by the Legal Recruitment team at Abacus Careers and is based upon salary information provided by candidates in-post throughout 2023.

Just scroll left and right to view salary tables Professional Practice and Industry based positions.

Legal Services


Qualified Solicitors Support & Non Qualified Non-Practice and In-house
Qualified Solictors Salary
Level Average Low High
NQS £35,000 £31,000 £39,000
PQE 1 £36,000 £32,000 £40,000
PQE 2 £38,000 £33,000 £42,500
PQE 3 £40,500 £35,000 £45,000
PQE 4 £43,000 £38,000 £47,000
PQE 5 £52,000 £43,000 £57,000
Associate (5-8 years) £57,000 £49,000 £71,000
Snr Associate (7-9 years) £65,000 £55,000 £76,000
Salaried Partner £90,000 £75,000+ £125,000+
Equity Partner – contact our team for specific advice. £tbc £tbc £tbc

For further advice or perspective on the information provided please contact one of the Legal Recruitment team who will be glad to assist.

Finally, please reference the range and role of benefits on offer when considering the issue of reward. Make sure to visit our associated page ‘Benefits & Total Reward’ which features an example of the financial impact benefits can make.

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