Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Lawyer vs Paralegal salary

In United Kingdom, a lawyer earns about 65% more than a paralegal $149,935 vs $91,032 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is GBP). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Legal
Lawyer
$149,935/yr
Monthly
$12,450
Hourly
$72
Range
$82,464$232,399
10-yr outlook
+8%
Legal
Paralegal
$91,032/yr
Monthly
$7,631
Hourly
$44
Range
$66,400$121,019
10-yr outlook
+12%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileLawyerParalegal
Entry (10th)$82,464$66,400
25th$116,200$78,716
Median$149,935$91,032
75th$191,167$106,026
Senior (90th)$232,399$121,019

National United Kingdom figures in GBP. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Legal comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a lawyer or paralegal earn more in United Kingdom?
A lawyer earns more, at about £112,000 per year vs £68,000 for a paralegal — roughly 65% (£44,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A lawyer typically earns £61,600–£173,600, while a paralegal earns £49,600–£90,400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a lawyer averages about £9,300 and a paralegal about £5,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a lawyer earns about £61,600 while a paralegal earns about £49,600 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a lawyer earns about £173,600 while a paralegal earns about £90,400 per year.
Are lawyer and paralegal similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Legal category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.