Public Defender Salary in 2026
Represent defendants who cannot afford private attorneys in criminal court proceedings.
Median Salary
$68,000
$5,667/mo
Entry Level
$52,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$92,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Lawyers (SOC 23-1011, the closest published occupation to Public Defender) at a national median of $159,670 per year (mean $185,840), or $76.76 per hour, with 754,500 people employed nationwide. Salario's $68,000 median above is a title-level estimate and is not rescaled to this broader occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Public Defender Overview
Represent defendants who cannot afford private attorneys in criminal court proceedings.
Education
J.D.
Experience
0-3 years
Industry
Law
Total Jobs (US)
15K
5-Year Growth
+3%
Category
Law
Hourly Rate
$32.69/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,667
Public Defender Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Public Defender salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Public Defender Salary
$78,000
$6,500/month · $3,000/biweekly · $37.50/hr
Public Defender Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Public Defender field.
Entry-level Public Defenders earn around $52,000, while the top 10% earn $103,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Public Defenders
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $80,000 | +$12,000 |
| New York | $78,000 | +$10,000 |
| Illinois | $71,000 | +$3,000 |
| Texas | $67,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $67,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Public Defenders
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $80,000 | +$12,000 |
| Los Angeles | $76,000 | +$8,000 |
| Chicago | $71,000 | +$3,000 |
| Miami | $69,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $67,000 | $-1,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Public Defender Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Public Defender.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Public Defender Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Public Defender from entry level to expert.
$52,000
0-2 years
$72,000
3-7 years
$92,000
8-14 years
$115,000
15+ years
Public Defender Salary FAQ
How much does a Public Defender make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Public Defender in the United States is $68,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $52,000, while senior professionals earn up to $92,000. Top earners in the field can make $115,000 or more annually. For reference, BLS OEWS May 2025 reports a $159,670 national median for the broader occupation Lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
What education is needed to become a Public Defender?
A Public Defender typically requires a J.D. with 0-3 years of experience. Key skills include Criminal Law, Trial Advocacy, Client Counseling. Relevant certifications such as Bar Admission can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Public Defenders?
The job market for Public Defenders is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 15K Public Defender positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 3%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Public Defenders the most?
The highest-paying states for Public Defenders include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $80,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Public Defender salary?
To increase your Public Defender salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Criminal Law and Trial Advocacy. Pursue certifications such as Bar Admission. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-3 years of experience, you can progress from $52,000 to $92,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Public Defender Salary
How we calculate Public Defender salary data: Public Defender has no exact BLS occupation. The national median, tiers, state and city figures are Salario estimates for the title; the closest published BLS occupation (Lawyers, SOC 23-1011) is shown above for reference but is not used to rescale the model because its wage level does not describe this title.
- National median salary: $68,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($52,000) and senior-level ($92,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 15K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 3% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Law sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: J.D., per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $68,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Public Defender compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Public Defender job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Law
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Public Defender salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Criminal Law, Trial Advocacy, Client Counseling), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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