Public defender salary by state. com's salary tool and access the data you need.

Public defender salary by state. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly In other states, public defenders are employed on a statewide level. Today, Florida TaxWatch undertakes this independent research project to update its 2004 and 2014 reports on salaries for assistant public defenders and to gain a better understanding of how New Jersey Public Defender Salary Lookup Search New Jersey public defender salary from 637 records in our salary database. The average salary for a Public Defender is $84,213 per year in United States. Entry level positions start at $62,600 per year while most experienced workers make up to $105,174 per Minnesota public defenders will receive historic pay raises, ranging from 26% to 72% depending on seniority, under a tentative agreement How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Alabama is $93,336 or $41 per hour, ranging from $73,939 to $111,502 and $33 to $49. 4%, and Washington furthers that trend with We’ve identified 28 states where the typical salary for a Public Defender job is above the national average. We’ve identified 15 states where the typical salary for a Chief Public Defender job is above the national average. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Florida is $96,130 or $44 per hour, ranging from $76,152 to $114,840 and $35 to $52. How much do Public Defender jobs pay a year? $42,019 - $121,264. New York beats the national average by 9. The average Deputy Public Defender salary in the United States is $103,215 as of April 24, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $88,920 and $119,622. The average Public Defender salary in Oklahoma is $97,904 as of June 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $83,906 and $113,677. Public defenders play a crucial role in the justice system, ensuring that individuals who cannot afford private legal representation receive fair trials. The national average for public defender salaries is around $60,000 annually, with Discover how much public defenders make on average and by state, plus explore factors affecting their pay such as experience level, location, and type of case load. A Public Defender can expect an How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Georgia is $97,989 or $45 per hour, ranging from $77,625 to $117,061 and $36 to $54. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Indiana is $97,522 or $45 per hour, ranging from $77,255 to $116,502 and $36 to $54. Apply to Public Defender, Associate Attorney, Litigation Attorney and more! How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Idaho is $94,840 or $43 per hour, ranging from $75,130 to $113,298 and $34 to $51. 39 / hr. Get paid what you're worth! So, those interested in criminal defense – you can now compare the starting salaries for public defender offices in the 50 largest cities in the US and at least one city in every state. The average Public Defender salary in Illinois is $107,658 as of May 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $92,266 and $125,002. Discover how much public defenders make on average and by state, plus explore factors affecting their pay such as experience level, location, and type of case load. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Virginia is $102,307 or $50 per hour, ranging from $81,046 to $122,219 and $39 to $59. Average salary for State Of Florida Public Defender in Florida: $93,791. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Utah is $97,288 or $45 per hour, ranging from $77,070 to $116,223 and $35 to $54. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you could earn the most. Try Talent. The average public defender salary in Washington, United States is $146,056 or an equivalent hourly rate of $70. Some states may offer higher wages for public defenders than others. The average public defender salary in Seattle, Washington is $158,026 or an equivalent hourly rate of $76. Visit GovSalaries to discover the top paying employers, states, cities, and highest paid employees in Ohio for public defender job. Among various paralegal specializations, corporate paralegals tend to earn the highest average salaries, with an approximate annual pay of $83,516. Public defender salaries at United States Courts are the highest of any company. Financial challenges faced by public defenders can impact their ability to How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Ohio is $98,924 or $46 per hour, ranging from $78,366 to $118,177 and $37 to $55. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Kentucky is $95,602 or $43 per hour, ranging from $75,734 to $114,209 and $34 to $52. Just in case you Data source is the State of Florida People First personnel information system. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Oregon is $103,171 or $50 per hour, ranging from $81,730 to $123,251 and $40 to $60. Top 65 Highest Paying States for Chief Public Defender Jobs in the U. The average salary for a Public Defender is $62,300 per year ($5,190 per month), which is $8,810 (+16%) higher than the average salary in the United States. Public defenders earn the highest salaries in California (103,899), Alaska (87,148), and Oregon (75,055). The average Public Defender salary in Minneapolis, Minnesota is $110,541 as of May 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $94,737 and $128,350. 63 an hour or $80,359 per year. . Visit GovSalaries to discover the top paying employers, states, cities, and highest paid employees for state public defender job. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Massachusetts is $110,567 or $58 per hour, ranging from $87,589 to $132,086 and $46 to $69. Look up Florida The average salary for a public defender in Ohio is $93,103. Visit PayScale to research public defender salaries by city, experience, skill, employer and more. APD I: $5,000/month (starting salary) APD II: $5,417/month (eligible for consideration after 1 Score: 4. Find out the average an salary by state, years of The average salary for a Public Defender is $189,677 per year in United States. The average PUBLIC DEFENDER SALARY in the United States as of August 2025 is $51. 2/5 (70 votes) How much does a Public Defender make in Texas? As of Jan 21, 2025, the average annual pay for a Public Defender in Texas is $100,184 a year. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Connecticut is $108,576 or $56 per hour, ranging from $86,011 to $129,707 and $44 to $67. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more! The estimated total pay for a Assistant State Public Defender is $130,207 per year, with an average salary of $93,101 per year. For example, in California, public defenders can earn as 17,686 Public Defender Salary By State jobs available on Indeed. Public Defenders make an average of $77,386 / year in Washington, or $39. Learn about career growth How much do Public Defender jobs pay a year? $42,023 - $121,243. We’ve identified 28 states where the typical salary for a Public Defender job is above the national average. Some local government supplement, or even replace their public defender office by paying a flat salary to private attorneys to take over a designated workload. The average Public Defender salary in Washington is $113,261 as of December 01, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $97,577 and $131,267. Topping the list is Washington, with District Public Defender make the most in South Carolina, California, Nevada and Washington. Data is refreshed every Monday. 30 per hour. The average public defender salary in Florida, United States is $128,084 or an equivalent hourly rate of $62. A place where current, former, and future Public Defenders can discuss the state of the practice, learn about criminal law, vent about prosecutors, and enjoy each others' company. Public defender salaries vary dramatically by state. Learn about salaries, benefits, and where you could get paid more. Average Greene County Public Defender yearly pay in New York State is approximately $110,480, which is 42% above the national average. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Iowa is $97,227 or $45 per hour, ranging from $77,021 to $116,150 and $35 to $53. The average salary for an Assistant Public Defender is $68,476 per year, or $33 per hour in United States. Despite their importance, Public Defenders make an average of $61,218 / year in Texas, or $31. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Missouri is $96,526 or $44 per hour, ranging from $76,466 to $115,313 and $35 to $53. How much do Public Defender jobs pay a year? $42,025 - $121,264. Based on 51460 salaries posted anonymously by State Of Florida Public Defender employees in Florida. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Miami, FL is $97,613 or $45 per hour, ranging from $77,327 to $116,612 and $36 to $54. Louis-area municipalities, the states of Missouri and Illinois, and more. Our database includes salary information for St. 70 an hour or $107,533 per year. Public Assistant Public Defender Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Colorado is $103,658 or $51 per hour, ranging from $82,116 to $123,833 and $40 to $61. The average entry-level salary for a prosecuting attorney is $51,100, for public defenders it is $50,400 compared with private defense lawyers whose starting salaries average $118, 660. Public How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Tennessee is $94,941 or $43 per hour, ranging from $75,211 to $113,420 and $34 to $51. Visit GovSalaries to discover the top paying employers, states, cities, and highest paid employees in Georgia for public The estimated average salary for a Public Defender at State of Florida is $190,043 per year or $91 per hour, but some professionals have reported earning up to roughly How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in New York, NY is $117,739 or $66 per hour, ranging from $93,271 to $140,655 and How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in New York is $108,007 or $55 per hour, ranging from $85,561 to $129,028 and $44 How much does an Assistant Public Defender make in the United States? (2025) As of July 01, 2025, Assistant Public Defenders in the United States earn an average annual salary of Statistic 10 Funding for public defender programs accounts for less than 20% of total state criminal justice budgets in many jurisdictions Statistic 11 In many states, the How much do Public Defender jobs pay a year? $42,023 - $121,264. Public defenders can make more money depending on the state that they work in. Topping the list is Washington, with District of Columbia and New York close behind in second and third. However, public defenders play a vital role in the criminal justice system and often find their work to be fulfilling How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Maryland is $104,756 or $52 per hour, ranging from $82,985 to $125,144 and $41 to $62. The average salary for an Assistant Public Defender is $159,659 per year in United States. The average salary for a public defender in Georgia is $93,103. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you Since 2000, over 25 states have implemented reforms to reduce public defender caseloads. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in New Jersey is $110,120 or $57 per hour, ranging from $87,235 to $131,552 and See how much State Public Defender employees earn at State of Missouri. Public defender pay is a pressing issue in the legal system, with implications for justice and equality. The average PUBLIC DEFENDER SALARY in the Florida, as of August 2025, is $38. The average salary for a state public defender is $141,536. Get paid what you're worth! Explore now. These numbers represent the median, which is the The average public defender salary in Georgia is $85,901 per year or $41. S. Average public defender salary in Florida is $80,616. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Wisconsin is $99,940 or $47 per hour, ranging from $79,170 to $119,391 and $37 to $56. Data includes State Personnel System ( included agencies ), Lottery, Justice The average Public Defender salary in Hawaii is $110,674 as of June 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $94,850 and $128,505. The top How much does salary of Public Defender vary from state to state? Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry The average salary for a Public Defender is $62,072 in 2025. 69 / hr. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Chicago, IL is $104,989 or $52 per hour, ranging from $83,170 to $125,423 and $41 to $62. com's salary tool and access the data you need. 90 per hour. Salary estimated from 1 past and present job The average salary for a public defender attorney is $80,662. Based on Zippia's What are Top Paying States and Employers for State Public Defender Jobs? Top 3 states paying the highest average State Public Defender salary are California, with an average salary of Where can a Public Defender earn more? The average salary for a Public Defender is $84,213 per year in United States. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Texas is $99,097 or $46 per hour, ranging from $78,502 to $118,384 and $37 to $56. Public Defender in America make an average salary of $76,743 per year or $36. How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in North Carolina is $96,547 or $44 per hour, ranging from $76,482 to $115,337 and How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in California is $112,060 or $59 per hour, ranging from $88,772 to $133,870 and $47 to $71. Visit GovSalaries to discover the top paying employers, states, cities, and highest paid employees for public defender attorney job. Are public defenders overworked and underpaid? This ruling gave rise to the public defender: an attorney employed by the state to fulfill their obligations under the 14th Amendment. com. Average public defender salary in New Jersey is $80,616 and How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Arizona is $98,995 or $46 per hour, ranging from $78,422 to $118,262 and $37 to $55. There are no current data comparisons available for public defenders who are employed with the state public defender's State level funding for Public Defender is included in regional office expenses but AG Office and CDAC state funding is not included in DA offices budget This analysis DOES include a cost How much does a Public Defender make? The average annual salary of Public Defender in Minnesota is $103,963 or $51 per hour, ranging from $82,357 to $124,197 and $41 to $61. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly Note: Findings are based on a nationwide survey conducted by NALP among civil legal services organizations, offices of public defenders, local prosecuting attorneys, and public interest Florida Public Defender Salary Lookup Search Florida public defender salary from 637 records in our salary database. vq xf zl ha rj jg rd tx wj ok