What is the salary of a Public Defender? In the United States, a Public Defender earns an average salary of $62,141. The salary range for a Public Defender is usually between $44,080 and $105,079 per year, representing the 25th to 75th percentiles respectively. The top 10% of earners, that is the 90th percentile, have an annual salary of $174,456. The highest Public Defender salary in the United States was $579,208. The average hourly pay for a Public Defender is $29.88.
Top 3 states paying the highest average Public Defender salary are California, with an average salary of $315,638, followed by Florida, with an average salary of $202,441, and Tennessee, with an average salary of $176,187. Employers paying the highest salary for a Public Defender job are Kern County (CA), Contra Costa County (CA) and Ventura County (CA).
| Employer | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Kern County, CA | $257,526 |
| Contra Costa County, CA | $235,271 |
| Ventura County, CA | $211,283 |
| Justice Administrative Commission, FL | $202,440 |
| Public Defender's Office, TN | $176,508 |
| Dekalb County, IN | $164,950 |
| Harrison County, IN | $143,644 |
| Warrick County, IN | $139,956 |
| Washington County, IN | $139,563 |
| Miami County, OH | $119,650 |
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Information Officer | $74,109 |
| Public Works | $47,287 |
| Public Works Superintendent | $86,787 |
| Public Safety Director | $109,433 |
| Public Works Supervisor | $91,780 |
| Public Information Specialist | $60,500 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $69,315 |
| Public Works Laborer | $53,471 |
| Public Health Nurse | $80,716 |
| Public Works - Administrative Assistant | $49,840 |
Select a state to view specific salary for Public Defender and other interesting information
| State | Average Salary | Records Number |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $149,161 | 1 |
| Arkansas | $70,489 | 206 |
| Arizona | $107,323 | 10 |
| California | $315,638 | 34 |
| Florida | $202,441 | 19 |
| Georgia | $75,660 | 12 |
| Iowa | $85,337 | 124 |
| Idaho | $57,165 | 8 |
| Indiana | $50,045 | 253 |
| Kansas | $59,200 | 66 |
| Louisiana | $33,231 | 1 |
| Michigan | $80,348 | 7 |
| Mississippi | $36,660 | 14 |
| Nebraska | $115,222 | 7 |
| New Jersey | $24,655 | 66 |
| New Mexico | $72,010 | 1 |
| Nevada | $117,106 | 11 |
| Ohio | $69,753 | 28 |
| Oklahoma | $42,098 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,671 | 22 |
| Rhode Island | $150,931 | 1 |
| South Carolina | $94,096 | 4 |
| Tennessee | $176,187 | 31 |
| Texas | $62,730 | 18 |
| Utah | $92,123 | 2 |
| Virginia | $134,286 | 1 |
| Washington | $84,317 | 13 |
