Starting salary for newly qualified

Stellin

I know I'm incredibly lucky to be kept on. Especially at a time when most of the people that qualified with me are currently out of work. Just wanted to get an idea on salaries generally though.

dazza21ie

It depends on the type of firm and location that you are working in. If you are working in a General Practice firm outside of Dublin then the €40k offer for a newly qualified is very good. I know the going rate was just above this before the downturn but most people who were on that type of money has since taken pay cuts.

If your working in Dublin for a commercial firm then it might be on the lower end of the going rate.

The important thing in the current times is to stay in employment and build up your PQE and worry about wages levels later.

dats_right

I know that it is far from perfect but the annual Brightwater Salary Surveys will provide some guidance on such matters. This year's (revised) survey says that the range of NQ salaries in commercial firms in Dublin as of March'09 is 40-55k, for commercial firms in the rest of Ireland for the same period the range is 34-38k, for 1 year PQE it doesn't jump dramatically at 45-65k and 35-40 respectively.

In General Practice firms the range is not surprisingly lower: in Dublin, March'09 it is 35-45k and in the rest of the Country 30-35k. Solrs with 1-2 yrs PQE 40 - 50k and rest of Country 35 - 40k.

Judge for yourself whether you think it is fair, but in the current climate it sounds more than reasonable to me.

Stellin

It's out of my hands, so no point dwelling on it. Thanks for the input. Just a question of racking up PQE, like you say. That, or go into something else all together! Seriously though, current salaries don't reflect the extent of the hours and the level of responsibility and the (occasional) bouts of severe stress.

dazza21ie

Stellin wrote: »

It's out of my hands, so no point dwelling on it. Thanks for the input. Just a question of racking up PQE, like you say. That, or go into something else all together! Seriously though, current salaries don't reflect the extent of the hours and the level of responsibility and the (occasional) bouts of severe stress.

Or the thousands spent on getting your qualifications. I think they should send out a warning with all Law Society applications for exams and courses:

"Your excessive fees for exams and Professional Practice Courses will not guarantee you any financial return."!

nuac

BVrightwater salary scales were on the high side even in the boom years.

A lot of firms paying less that figures quoted on this board.