What is the salary of a Public Defender? In the United States, a Public Defender earns an average salary of $65,733. The salary range for a Public Defender is usually between $43,332 and $98,924 per year, representing the 25th to 75th percentiles respectively. The top 10% of earners, that is the 90th percentile, have an annual salary of $180,755. The highest Public Defender salary in the United States was $231,845. The average hourly pay for a Public Defender is $31.60.
Top 3 states paying the highest average Public Defender salary are California, with an average salary of $366,152, followed by Florida, with an average salary of $218,939, and Alaska, with an average salary of $215,144. Employers paying the highest salary for a Public Defender job are San Diego County (CA), Justice Administrative Commission (FL) and Public Defender's Office (TN).
| Employer | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Diego County, CA | $311,574 |
| Justice Administrative Commission, FL | $212,562 |
| Public Defender's Office, TN | $185,870 |
| Warrick County, IN | $150,179 |
| Harrison County, IN | $141,222 |
| Washington County, IN | $135,415 |
| Montgomery County, IN | $107,879 |
| Jefferson County, ID | $94,735 |
| Cassia County, ID | $92,778 |
| Jackson County, IN | $92,458 |
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Information Officer | $72,589 |
| Public Works | $53,379 |
| Public Safety Director | $120,000 |
| Public Works Superintendent | $82,846 |
| Public Works Supervisor | $74,111 |
| Public Information Specialist | $62,866 |
| Public Works Laborer | $48,409 |
| Public Works - Administrative Assistant | $54,362 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $61,195 |
| Public Works Foreman | $65,773 |
Select a state to view specific salary for Public Defender and other interesting information
| State | Average Salary | Records Number |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $215,144 | 1 |
| Arkansas | $67,214 | 191 |
| Arizona | $107,323 | 10 |
| California | $366,152 | 32 |
| Florida | $218,939 | 19 |
| Georgia | $47,487 | 30 |
| Hawaii | $159,912 | 1 |
| Iowa | $91,771 | 129 |
| Idaho | $98,502 | 14 |
| Indiana | $57,593 | 244 |
| Kansas | $83,026 | 57 |
| Louisiana | $33,231 | 1 |
| Michigan | $115,700 | 8 |
| Mississippi | $32,698 | 21 |
| Nebraska | $91,577 | 7 |
| New Jersey | $24,655 | 66 |
| New Mexico | $72,010 | 1 |
| Nevada | $117,106 | 11 |
| Ohio | $132,916 | 11 |
| Oklahoma | $42,098 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $110,788 | 15 |
| Rhode Island | $155,875 | 1 |
| South Carolina | $85,105 | 6 |
| Tennessee | $212,566 | 32 |
| Texas | $88,668 | 10 |
| Utah | $206,195 | 1 |
| Virginia | $6,503 | 25 |
| Washington | $86,959 | 30 |