UK In-House Legal: Technology, Media & Telecoms Compensation Guide
Compensation Guide
UK In-House Legal Compensation Guide: Technology, Media & Telecoms
Gain insights into the latest salary benchmarks and bonus structures for in-house legal professionals working across the UK’s tech, media, and telecoms industries.
In-house legal talent is powering innovation in technology, media & telecoms
As UK organisations navigate tightening data protection laws, AI regulation, and increasingly complex intellectual property (IP) and digital content licensing challenges, the demand for skilled in-house legal professionals in the technology, media, and telecoms (TMT) industries continues to rise.
Companies across software, broadcasting, publishing, and telecoms are expanding legal teams to manage risk in areas such as product launches, data governance, SaaS contracts, and digital infrastructure compliance. There is particularly strong demand for lawyers with expertise in:
- Cross-border commercial law
- Data privacy (GDPR, UK DPA)
- Platform regulation
- Telecoms compliance, including familiarity with Ofcom and CMA frameworks
Legal departments are also evolving rapidly. Many organisations are investing in contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms and AI-powered legal review tools to improve efficiency and reduce exposure. These new technologies are changing how legal teams are structured and valued, reflected in rising in-house legal salaries, expanded role scopes, and more strategic positioning of legal counsel.
The 2025 UK In-House Legal Compensation Guide for Technology, Media & Telecoms provides detailed insights into salary benchmarks and bonuses by PQE level across TMT legal roles.
Whether you're expanding your legal team to support digital growth or planning your next career move, this guide supports confident, data-driven decision-making.
FAQ: In-house legal technology, media & telecoms compensation and careers
Salaries typically range from £70,000 to £280,000+ depending on PQE, company size, and specialisation (e.g. data privacy, IP, commercial tech).
Use our guide to explore legal salary ranges by PQE.
There’s high demand for in-house lawyers with expertise in data protection (GDPR), SaaS contracts, AI regulation, and digital content licensing. Browse our current in-house legal job vacancies in tech, media, and telecoms.
Yes. Bonuses are common in mid-to-senior roles, especially in high-growth tech companies and global media firms, and can range from 10% to 50%+ depending on PQE and career level.
Find a full breakdown in our compensation guide.
Roles focused on data privacy, AI regulation, and digital content licensing tend to command higher salaries, especially in global tech firms and media conglomerates. General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel positions in high-growth companies often include equity and performance-based bonuses.
As AI technologies evolve, companies are hiring legal professionals to navigate emerging UK and EU regulations, including transparency, liability, and ethical use. Lawyers with experience in AI governance, algorithmic accountability, and platform compliance are increasingly in demand.
Cross-border commercial experience, GDPR and UK DPA compliance, IP strategy, and familiarity with Ofcom and CMA frameworks are highly sought after. Knowledge of contract automation tools and legal operations is also becoming essential.
Download the full guide to access detailed salary data and bonus benchmarks in the UK technology, media & telecoms industry, broken down by PQE level.
Legal professionals often progress from Legal Counsel to Senior Counsel, Head of Legal, and General Counsel.
Specialising in areas like data privacy, IP, or AI regulation can accelerate career growth.
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