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
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 |
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
Methodology & Data Sources — Public Defender Salary
How we calculate Public Defender salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $68,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Public Defender in the Law sector.
- Entry-level ($52,000) and senior-level ($92,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 15K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 3% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Law sector wages.
- Education requirement: J.D., per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $68,000.
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 Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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