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Assistant public defender salary
Average assistant public defender salary
$68,476
Understanding the Assistant Public Defender Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Assistant Public Defender in the United States stands at $68,476 annually. This figure can vary based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific area of law practiced. For instance, states with higher costs of living tend to offer higher salaries. Assistant Public Defenders with more experience typically command higher wages, reflecting their expertise and the complexity of cases handled.
Additionally, seeking positions in metropolitan areas often leads to increased salary prospects. For example, states like California and New York are known for offering competitive salaries that can exceed the national average. It's vital to research salary trends in your state and consider factors such as job responsibilities and case load when evaluating potential earnings.
Career Advancement Opportunities
For those looking to advance their careers, pursuing further education or specialization in specific legal areas can enhance earning potential. Networking within the legal community and seeking mentorship can also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth. Explore job listings to find openings that align with your career goals and salary expectations.
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Where can an Assistant Public Defender earn more?
Assistant public defender salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level assistant public defender | $39,700 | $19.11 |
| Mid-level assistant public defender | $48,000 | $23.06 |
| Senior-level assistant public defender | $101,000 | $48.36 |
Assistant public defender salary estimates from across the web
Average assistant public defender salary by state
The average assistant public defender salary in California, Alaska, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average assistant public defender salary states are Missouri, Mississippi, and New Hampshire.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for assistant public defenders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $95,637 | $45.98 |
| 2 | Alaska | $86,286 | $41.48 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $81,422 | $39.15 |
| 4 | New York | $76,063 | $36.57 |
| 5 | Nevada | $72,144 | $34.68 |
| 6 | Oregon | $74,501 | $35.82 |
| 7 | Georgia | $66,449 | $31.95 |
| 8 | Virginia | $69,648 | $33.48 |
| 9 | Washington | $72,015 | $34.62 |
| 10 | Arizona | $68,658 | $33.01 |
| 11 | Colorado | $66,540 | $31.99 |
| 12 | Illinois | $65,168 | $31.33 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $64,322 | $30.92 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $65,613 | $31.54 |
| 15 | Michigan | $63,316 | $30.44 |
| 16 | Utah | $63,418 | $30.49 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $63,745 | $30.65 |
| 18 | Delaware | $61,765 | $29.69 |
| 19 | Maryland | $65,346 | $31.42 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $61,997 | $29.81 |
| 21 | Ohio | $59,566 | $28.64 |
| 22 | Florida | $58,202 | $27.98 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $57,163 | $27.48 |
| 24 | Texas | $58,296 | $28.03 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $57,096 | $27.45 |
| 26 | Louisiana | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| 27 | Alabama | $57,612 | $27.70 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $52,458 | $25.22 |
| 29 | Iowa | $58,898 | $28.32 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $57,854 | $27.81 |
| 31 | Vermont | $55,805 | $26.83 |
| 32 | Montana | $50,526 | $24.29 |
| 33 | Indiana | $54,441 | $26.17 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $54,975 | $26.43 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $63,196 | $30.38 |
| 36 | Idaho | $53,887 | $25.91 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $53,334 | $25.64 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $52,364 | $25.18 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $53,781 | $25.86 |
| 40 | Minnesota | $52,869 | $25.42 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| 42 | Kansas | $53,073 | $25.52 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $48,863 | $23.49 |
| 44 | Missouri | $50,108 | $24.09 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $51,588 | $24.80 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $50,786 | $24.42 |
| 48 | Maine | $33,171 | $15.95 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $49,993 | $24.04 |
| 50 | New Hampshire | $49,261 | $23.68 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $38,892 | $18.70 |
Highest paying cities for assistant public defenders
The highest-paying cities for assistant public defenders are Rochester, NY, Norfolk, VA, and Tucson, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, NY | $72,665 | $34.94 |
| 2 | Norfolk, VA | $69,971 | $33.64 |
| 3 | Tucson, AZ | $68,322 | $32.85 |
| 4 | Statesboro, GA | $66,758 | $32.10 |
| 5 | Waukegan, IL | $65,518 | $31.50 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $65,506 | $31.49 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $59,243 | $28.48 |
| 8 | Key West, FL | $58,814 | $28.28 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $52,973 | $25.47 |
Assistant public defender salary details
An assistant public defender's salary ranges from $47,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $97,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an assistant public defender's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $97,000 | $8,083 | $47 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| Average | $68,476 | $5,706 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
Highest paying assistant public defender jobs
The highest paying types of assistant public defenders are assistant general counsel, legal counsel, and general counsel.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Counsel | $132,867 | $11,072 | $63.88 | 10,337 |
| Legal Extern | $47,238 | $3,937 | $22.71 | 10,986 |
| Contract Attorney | $97,474 | $8,123 | $46.86 | 13,592 |
| Lawyer | $115,808 | $9,651 | $55.68 | 2,897 |
| General Counsel | $125,248 | $10,437 | $60.22 | 50,275 |
| Staff Attorney | $110,028 | $9,169 | $52.90 | 75,402 |
Top companies hiring assistant public defenders now:
Which companies pay assistant public defenders the most?
Assistant public defender salaries at Columbus Consolidated Government and State of Rhode Island are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average assistant public defender salary at companies like City of Atlanta and City of Tucson are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus Consolidated Government | $73,981 | $35.57 |
| 2 | State of Rhode Island | $73,685 | $35.43 |
| 3 | City of Atlanta | $72,942 | $35.07 |
| 4 | City of Tucson | $71,297 | $34.28 |
| 5 | County of Union | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| 6 | Houston County | $69,907 | $33.61 |
| 7 | Bexar County | $69,851 | $33.58 |
| 8 | Monroe County | $69,794 | $33.55 |
| 9 | NC.gov | $69,168 | $33.25 |
| 10 | Lake County | $69,029 | $33.19 |
| 11 | Fulton County Government Center | $68,364 | $32.87 |
| 12 | State of West Virginia | $67,360 | $32.38 |
| 13 | Minnesota State Fair | $66,479 | $31.96 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $63,255 | $30.41 |
| 15 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $60,842 | $29.25 |
| 16 | State Of Florida | $56,497 | $27.16 |
| 17 | State of Ohio | $55,615 | $26.74 |
| 18 | My Florida Regional Mls | $52,698 | $25.34 |
| 19 | Florida Department of Transportation | $50,582 | $24.32 |
| 20 | Florida Dept. of Health | $45,115 | $21.69 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Assistant public defender salary trends
The average assistant public defender salary has risen by $7,347 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average assistant public defender earned $61,129 annually, but today, they earn $68,476 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for assistant public defenders over the last decade.
Compare assistant public defender salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average assistant public defender salary over time
Compare assistant public defender salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Assistant public defender salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,500 | $32.92 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $66,300 | $31.89 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $65,200 | $31.36 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $64,300 | $30.93 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $63,700 | $30.65 | +2.0% |
Recently added assistant public defender salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Virginia | Attorney-Assistant Public Defender I/II-Central Virginia Offices | Richmond, VA | 06/28/2025 | $63,260 |
| State of Wisconsin | Assistant State Public Defender-Fond DU LAC Region | Oshkosh, WI | 06/26/2025 | $76,378 |
| State of Florida | Assistant Public Defender-9Th Circuit | Orlando, FL | 06/23/2025 | $40,000 |
| Ottawa County, Mi | Assistant Public Defender I | Olive, MI | 06/18/2025 | $83,918 |
| Palm Beach County Public Defender/15Th Circuit | Assistant Public Defender | West Palm Beach, FL | 06/14/2025 | $67,000 |
| State of Kansas | Assistant Public Defender | Sedgwick, KS | 06/14/2025 | $62,500 |
| State of Ohio | Assistant Public Defender-Athens County Office | Athens, OH | 06/09/2025 | $71,011 |
| Dasstateoh | Assistant Public Defender-Athens County Office | Athens, OH | 06/09/2025 | $71,011 |
| DHRM | Attorney-Assistant Public Defender I/II-Tidewater Virginia Offices | Chesapeake, VA | 06/06/2025 | $63,260 |
| Genesee County, Mi | Lead Assistant Public Defender | Flint, MI | 06/05/2025 | $98,735 |
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