TARGETjobs Law salary survey 2011: how much will you earn as a trainee solicitor?

The TARGETjobs Law team has surveyed graduate recruiters about starting salaries for their next intake of trainee solicitors – and then on qualification at the end of their two-year training contract. The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) recommends that law firms pay a minimum salary to trainees of £18,950 (in London) and (£16, 650 outside the capital) – but the big international and City firms pay at least double that figure to their new graduates.

Most City firms, including the Magic Circle giants, are offering £38,000 or £39,000 salaries to first-year trainees. Salaries on qualification as a solicitor with these firms are between £58,000 and £61,000. American firms with London offices offer the highest salaries to their trainees, with Sullivan & Cromwell offering a £50,000 starting salary with a hefty £97,500 on successful completion of their training contract.

Salaries are lower outside London, in line with the local cost of living. Hill Dickinson will pay £24,000 to its trainees based in Liverpool; with £36,000 post-training contract. Candidates applying to leading Birmingham firm Martineau can expect to start on £23,000, rising to £36,000 if offered an NQ position at the end of their training.

Round up of training contract starting salaries and on qualification

• Starting salaries at Allen & Overy LLP – £38,000/£61,000
• Starting salaries at Ashurst LLP – £38,000/£61,000
• Starting salaries at Baker & McKenzie – £37,000 (plus £3,000 signing on bonus)/£59,000
• Starting salaries at Bird & Bird LLP – £35,000/£58,000
• Starting salaries at CMS Cameron McKenna – £37,500/£59,000
• Starting salaries at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP – £39,000/£61,500
• Starting salaries at Hogan Lovells – £38,000/£61,000
• Starting salaries at Kirkland & Ellis International LLP – £40,000/£90,000
• Starting salaries at Linklaters LLP – £37,400/£61,500
• Starting salaries at Macfarlanes LLP – £38,000/£60,000
• Starting salaries at Martineau – £23,000/£36,000
• Starting salaries at Mayer Brown International LLP – £37,500/£61,000
• Starting salaries at RPC – £37,000/£58,000
• Starting salaries at Shearman & Sterling LLP – £39,000/£78,000
• Starting salaries at Simmons & Simmons LLP – £36,000/£59,000
• Starting salaries at SJ Berwin – £37,500/£59,000
• Starting salaries at Slaughter and May – £38,000/£61,500
• Starting salaries at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP – £50,000/£97,500
• Starting salaries at Travers Smith LLP – £38,000/£60,000
• Starting salaries at White & Case LLP – £41,000/£70,000

Search for more law firms’ starting salaries and benefits here

What about the benefits law firms offer?

Use Employer Insights when researching which firms to apply to and you’ll see that law firms will throw in other great benefits, such as sponsorship for the legal practice course subsidised restaurants and gym membership, in-house medical services and, occasionally, bonuses.

• Find out more about graduate careers in law, working culture and training with top law firms in our Employer Insights
• More tips and advice on researching law firm before applying