Oculus Legal 2025 Salary Survey- South West

As the legal landscape in the South West continues to evolve, salaries are reflecting both market demand and the increasing competition for top talent. Firms are adapting their compensation structures to attract and retain high-calibre solicitors, particularly in areas such as Private Client, Family, Corporate, and Commercial Property.

Our 2025 Salary Survey offers a comprehensive breakdown of current salary trends across these key practice areas, helping both employers and candidates benchmark their expectations. Here’s a look at the salary ranges for various levels of experience across different specialisms:

Residential Property

• NQ – 1 PQE – Boutique firm: £30,000 – £32,000 & Full Service/Top 100 firm: £47,000 – £65,000
• 1 – 3 PQE – Boutique firm: £32,000 – £37,000 & Full Service/Top 100 firm: £49,000 – £74,000
• 3 – 5 PQE – Boutique firm: £37,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100 firm: £51,000 – £80,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm £45,000 – £60,000 & Full service/Top 100 firm: £53,000 – £85,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm £62,000 – £70,000 & Full Service/Top 100 firm: £55,000 – £90,000
• Partner: Boutique firm £70,000 – £85,000 & Full Service/Top 100 firm: £65,000 – £150k

Private Client

• NQ – 1 PQE: Boutique firm – £29,000 – £32,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £52,000 – £74,000
• 1 – 3 PQE: Boutique firm – £32,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £54,000 – £76,000
• 3 – 5 PQE: Boutique firm – £45,000 – £54,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £60,000 – £80,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm – £54,000 – £65,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £65,000 – £85,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm – £65,000 – £75,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £70,000 – £90,000
• Partner: Boutique firm – £75,000 – £90,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £90,000 – £150,000

Family

• NQ – 1 PQE: Boutique firm – £29,000 – £32,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £52,000 – £74,000
• 1 – 3 PQE: Boutique firm – £32,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £54,000 – £76,000
• 3 – 5 PQE: Boutique firm – £45,000 – £54,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £60,000 – £80,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm – £54,000 – £65,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £65,000 – £85,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm – £65,000 – £75,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £70,000 – £90,000
• Partner: Boutique firm – £75,000 – £90,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £90,000 – £150,000

Corporate

• NQ – 1 PQE: Boutique firm – £35,000 – £40,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £52,000 – £96,000
• 1 – 3 PQE: Boutique firm – £40,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £54,000 – £100,000
• 3 – 5 PQE: Boutique firm – £45,000 – £50,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £60,000 – £110,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm – £50,000 – £57,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £65,000 – £115,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm – £57,000 – £65,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £70,000 – £118,000
• Partner: Boutique firm – £65,000 – £90,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £80,000 – £170,000

Commercial Property

• NQ – 1 PQE: Boutique firm – £35,000 – £40,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £52,000 – £96,000
• 1 – 3 PQE: Boutique firm – £40,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £54,000 – £100,000
• 3 – 5 PQE: Boutique firm – £45,000 – £50,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £60,000 – £110,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm – £50,000 – £57,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £65,000 – £115,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm – £57,000 – £65,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £70,000 – £118,000
• Partner: Boutique firm – £65,000 – £90,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £80,000 – £170,000

Employment

• NQ – 1 PQE: Boutique firm – £35,000 – £40,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £52,000 – £74,000
• 1 – 3 PQE: Boutique firm – £40,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £54,000 – £77,000
• 3 – 5 PQE: Boutique firm – £45,000 – £50,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £60,000 – £80,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm – £50,000 – £57,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £65,000 – £84,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm – £57,000 – £65,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £70,000 – £90,000
• Partner: Boutique firm – £65,000 – £90,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £80,000 – £115,000

Construction

• NQ – 1 PQE: Boutique firm – £35,000 – £40,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £52,000 – £96,000
• 1 – 3 PQE: Boutique firm – £40,000 – £45,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £54,000 – £100,000
• 3 – 5 PQE: Boutique firm – £45,000 – £50,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £60,000 – £110,000
• 5 – 8 PQE: Boutique firm – £50,000 – £57,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £65,000 – £115,000
• 8 PQE+: Boutique firm – £57,000 – £65,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £70,000 – £118,000
• Partner: Boutique firm – £65,000 – £90,000 & Full Service/Top 100: £80,000 – £170,000