How Much Does a Barrister Make in the United Kingdom? Salary Range, Hourly Rate and More
As of April 22, 2025, the average annual salary for a Barrister in the United Kingdom is £53,825, with an hourly rate of £26, according to Salary.com Global Salary IQ data. The average salary ranges from £46,785 to £61,267, influenced by factors like location, education, experience, and more.
Convert Currency to USD| Percentile | Salary | Location | Last Updated |
| 25th Percentile Barrister Salary | £46,785 | United Kingdom | April 22, 2025 |
| 50th Percentile Barrister Salary | £53,825 | United Kingdom | April 22, 2025 |
| 75th Percentile Barrister Salary | £61,267 | United Kingdom | April 22, 2025 |
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How Much Does a Barrister Make by Hour, Week, Month, and Year?
Last Updated on April 22, 2025Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Barrister salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. The average annual pay for a Barrister is about £53,825 a year, this translates to an approximate hourly rate of £26, a monthly salary of about £4,485, and a weekly pay of around £1,035. Click the switch button below to see more details about Barrister hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay, and so on.
How Much Do Barristers Earn at Different Levels in 2025?
A Barrister's salary varies significantly based on experience level. Entry typically earn £48,677 - £52,775, while Intermediate make £48,992 - £53,090, Senior earn £51,198 - £55,158, Specialist earn £53,825 - £58,046, Expert can reach £54,936 - £59,268 or more, depending on the company and location.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Barrister | £51,514 |
| Intermediate Level Barrister | £51,724 |
| Senior Level Barrister | £53,825 |
| Specialist Level Barrister | £56,602 |
| Expert Level Barrister | £57,713 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Intermediate Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 0% |
| Specialist Level | 5% |
| Expert Level | 7% |
Skills to Boost a Barrister Salary
Mastering key skills can significantly increase your earning potential as a Barrister. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Data, expertise in Planning can lead to a 5% salary raise, while strong Bankruptcy skills boost pay by a 2%. Even Microsoft Office can result in a 2% salary increase.
| Skills | Salary | Demand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill & Salary | Demand | ||
| Planning | £56,517 |
Planning
£56,517
|
5%
|
| Bankruptcy | £54,902 |
Bankruptcy
£54,902
|
2%
|
| Microsoft Office | £54,902 |
Microsoft Office
£54,902
|
2%
|
| Employment Law | £54,902 |
Employment Law
£54,902
|
2%
|
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Frequently Asked Questions about Barrister Salaries
1. How much does a UK barrister earn?
Employed barristers can expect to earn from £90,000 to in excess of £150,000.
2. Who earns more, a barrister or a solicitor?
Barristers may make between £50,000-250,000, and solicitors may raise between £55,000-150,000 per year as newly qualified lawyers.7 Jun 2024
3. Is being a barrister worth it UK?
Becoming a barrister can be worthwhile if you are passionate about law, enjoy advocacy, and are prepared for the challenges of the profession. However, it's essential to weigh the potential rewards against the competitive nature of the field and the initial financial instability.3 Jun 2019
4. How much is a barrister per hour UK?
The average fees charged per hour are £200 to £250 plus VAT. Where possible we will provide a fixed fee for a piece of work. We usually charge fixed fees for conferences and hearings. It may be possible to charge fixed fees for other work, once we have scoped out what is needed.
5. Is a solicitor higher than a barrister?
Barristers can be distinguished from a solicitor because they wear a wig and gown in court. They work at higher levels of court than solicitors and their main role is to act as advocates in legal hearings, which means they stand in court and plead the case on behalf of their clients in front of a judge.
6. What is the highest paying job in the UK?
Top 50 Highest Paying Jobs in the UK in 2025Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Who they are: CEOs are responsible for the overall management of a company, shaping its strategic vision, and ensuring business goals are achieved. ... Surgeon. ... Anaesthetist. ... Investment Banker. ... Corporate Lawyer. ... Orthodontist. ... Airline Pilot. ... IT Director.More items...•19 Dec 2024