Allen & Overy (A&O) has upped associate pay rates at the financial half-year mark, with increased salaries for junior lawyers across the board.

Associates with two year's PQE and three years' PQE have seen the largest salary increases, with the former taking home £78,500, up 5.4% from £74,500. Those with three years' experience have seen salaries jump by £3,000 to £89,000.

It was reported earlier this year that the firm had frozen its 2013-14 associate salaries at last year's levels after reviewing junior pay rates in March, with newly-qualified lawyers' salaries remaining at £61,500 and first-year post-qualification experience (PQE) pay also static at £68,500.

The firm's newly-qualified lawyers have now had their pay increased by £1,000 to £64,000, while first-year PQE lawyers will take home £69,500, marking a similar increase.

The pay increases are effective immediately.

A spokesman for the firm said: "Following a review of the legal salary market, we will be increasing base salaries at the junior and mid associate level with effect from 1 November 2013 to ensure our total reward proposition remains competitive at all levels and in recognition of the significant contribution our associates make to the success of our business."

Earlier this year the firm raised its trainee pay rates for the first time in three years, with first-year trainees now receiving £39,000, an increase of £1,000, and second-year trainees taking home £44,000, up from £43,200.

How the magic circle compares:

A&O 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainees year 1: £39,000 (£38,000)
Trainee year 2: £44,000 (£43,200)
NQ: £64,000 (£61,500)
One year PQE: £69,500 (£68,500)
Two years' PQE: £78,500 (£74,500)
Three years' PQE: £89,000 (£86,000)

Clifford Chance 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainee year 1: £39,000 (£38,000)
Trainee year 1: £44,000 (£43,000)
NQ: £63,500 (£61,500); total including maximum potential bonus £76,200
One year PQE: £69,500 (£69,000); total including maximum potential bonus £90,350
Two years' PQE: £78,200 (£76,300); total including max potential bonus £101,660
Three years' PQE: £87,800 (£87,000); total including max potential bonus £114,140

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainee year 1 – £39,000
Trainee year 2 – £44,000
CMF (equivalent to newly-qualified to one year PQE) £65,000 – £72,500
CM1 (two to four years' PQE) £80,000 – £92,500
CM2 (four years' plus PQE) £100,000 – £107,500
CM3 (roughly six years' PQE) from £115,000

Linklaters 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainees year 1: £39,500 (£39,000)
NQ: £64,000 (£61,500)
One year PQE: £69,500 (£69,000)
Two years' PQE: £78,250 (£76,000)
Three years' PQE: £89,000 (£88,000)

Slaughter and May 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainee year 1: £39,000 (£38,000)
Trainee year 2: £44,000 (£43,000)
NQ: £63,000 (£61,500)
One year PQE: £69,500 (£69,000)
Two years' PQE: £78,000 (£76,500)
Three years' PQE: £87,500 (£86,000)