Orange County Public Defender Salary

As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Orange County Public Defender in the United States is $96,324. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $46. Salaries at Orange County Public Defender typically range from $84,231 to $110,208 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Orange County Public Defender

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Orange County Public Defender. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Orange County Public Defender’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Orange County Public Defender's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Randall High School $78,688
-18.3%
Randall High School may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
Peace Saginaw $80,903
-16.0%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like Peace Saginaw.
East Bay Family Defenders $100,480
+4.3%
Data suggests East Bay Family Defenders's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
PUBlic 74 $93,645
-2.8%
Reflects stabilized pricing equilibrium for commercial construction roles in this region.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+19.7%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Orange County Public Defender

Considering a career at Orange County Public Defender? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
The focus on public service and education creates a fulfilling atmosphere. Clear goals help make even the busiest weeks feel manageable and focused. Communication can be formal and hierarchical, limiting quick feedback. Service delivery meets expectations but leaves room for improvement.
Job security is strong, yet innovation and agility could be enhanced. Employees enjoy flexible work options and comprehensive benefits, enabling a healthy work-life balance and meaningful contribution to community service projects. Strong commitment to employee development through continuous training programs. I feel proud working in an environment that emphasizes lifelong learning and community i...
Clear policies ensure fair treatment, and the emphasis on education aligns well with my personal values. Modernized our outdated systems seamlessly. I appreciate the clarity of roles and the strong emphasis on public accountability. Good intentions, but administrative speed varies. Employees feel valued and motivated by the organization’s commitment to public service and supportive work environmen...

Orange County Public Defender Overview

Website
www.pubdef.ocgov.com
Founded In
Data pending, update soon.
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
801 W Civic Center Dr Santa Ana California CA 92701
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 6572516090
Social Media
About Orange County Public Defender
Orange County Public Defender is a public company. It provides shelter programs, food band services and government benefits. The company was founded in 1944 and is based in Santa Ana, California.

What Benefits Does Orange County Public Defender Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Orange County Public Defender offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Santa Ana?

Understanding the cost of living near Santa Ana is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Orange County Public Defender.
Santa Ana's Cost of Living Index is approximately 149.7 (49.7% more expensive than US average; 7.1% more than CA average). Orange County seat, high housing costs, though often slightly more affordable than neighboring Irvine or coastal OC cities. When planning your budget based on a salary from Orange County Public Defender, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,000 - $2,900+ A significant portion of Orange County Public Defender salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $260 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $69 (OCTA monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $450 - $670 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $400 - $750+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $390 - $740+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,459 - $5,329+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Orange County Public Defender

1. How much does an Orange County Public Defender employee make?

Orange County Public Defender pays its employees an average of $96,324 per year. The average salary at Orange County Public Defender range from $84,231 to $110,208 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Orange County Public Defender?

The salary at Orange County Public Defender is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Orange County Public Defender is $96,324, or an hourly wage of $46, in comparison to Randall High School which pays $78,688 per year or $38 per hour.

3. How much does a Summer Law Clerk typically earn at Orange County Public Defender?

A Summer Law Clerk at Orange County Public Defender typically earns an average annual base salary of around $170,369, with a general range of $149,442 to $188,387.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Orange County Public Defender?

In many roles at Orange County Public Defender, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Santa Ana affect the perceived value of a Orange County Public Defender salary?

Santa Ana's Cost of Living Index is approximately 149.7 (49.7% more expensive than US average; 7.1% more than CA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Orange County Public Defender based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Santa Ana" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Orange County Public Defender typically offer employees?

Orange County Public Defender generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Orange County Public Defender" section on this page.