Chief Public Defender Salaries in California
How Much Does a Chief Public Defender Make in California?
Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Chief Public Defender in California is $81,502.
While Salary.com is seeing that Chief Public Defender salary in CA can go up to $124,607
or down to $68,211, but most earn between $74,545 and $104,065.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors,
including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Chief Public Defender
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Similar Job Salaries to Chief Public Defender by Company
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| Company | average base salary in (usd) | range |
|---|---|---|
|
Santa Cruz County, CA
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
|
$196,582/yr
|
RANGE: $174,575 - $218,589
|
|
County of Santa Cruz
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
|
$133,988/yr
|
RANGE: $119,707 - $148,269
|
|
County of Mendocino
Deputy Public Defender III
|
$152,448/yr
|
RANGE: $136,903 - $167,994
|
|
County of Mendocino
Deputy Public Defender IV
|
$152,448/yr
|
RANGE: $136,903 - $167,994
|
|
County of Contra Costa
Deputy Public Defender I
|
$152,471/yr
|
RANGE: $136,615 - $168,326
|
|
Tulare County, CA
Deputy Public Defender
|
$138,136/yr
|
RANGE: $124,050 - $152,222
|
|
County of Los Angeles
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II
|
$153,627/yr
|
RANGE: $137,962 - $169,293
|
|
County of Los Angeles
INVESTIGATOR II, PUBLIC DEFENDER
|
$58,593/yr
|
RANGE: $52,189 - $64,996
|
|
Stanislaus County
Assistant Public Defender
|
$63,665/yr
|
RANGE: $56,937 - $70,393
|
|
Los Angeles County
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II
|
$153,627/yr
|
RANGE: $137,962 - $169,293
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Chief Public Defender Jobs in California
It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States.
There are some cities where a Chief Public Defender can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living.
Below is the top cities list for Chief Public Defender job salaries in California.
Some cities can pay higher salaries for Chief Public Defender jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Chief Public Defender positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Chief Public Defender salary is higher than other cities in California.
San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont.
The Chief Public Defender salary is $93,199 in San Jose,
which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' Chief Public Defender salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a Chief Public Defender in California is $81,502,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for Chief Public Defender jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara.
Chief Public Defender jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| San Jose | $93,199 | $7,767 | $1,792 | $45 |
| Santa Clara | $93,199 | $7,767 | $1,792 | $45 |
| Fremont | $93,022 | $7,752 | $1,789 | $45 |
| San Francisco | $92,283 | $7,690 | $1,775 | $44 |
| Daly City | $92,283 | $7,690 | $1,775 | $44 |
| Berkeley | $90,236 | $7,520 | $1,735 | $43 |
| Oakland | $90,236 | $7,520 | $1,735 | $43 |
| Hayward | $90,088 | $7,507 | $1,732 | $43 |
| Antioch | $85,137 | $7,095 | $1,637 | $41 |
| Vallejo | $83,128 | $6,927 | $1,599 | $40 |
What Does a Chief Public Defender Do?
In jurisdictions where the public defender is a government agency, public defenders are generally on the same or similar pay-scale to prosecutors.
Updated December 22, 2021
In the federal criminal court system and some states and counties, representation is through a publicly funded public defender office.
Updated December 14, 2021
In federal courts, 75 percent of the defendants rely on appointed lawyers especially when the public defender offices have issues with conflict of interest which can be caused by public defender shortages.
Updated December 13, 2021
The public defender's office assists the poor and lower middle-class in both civil and criminal matters, although the poorest states in the country are still struggling to set up a state public defenders office.
Updated December 04, 2021
State public defender systems can vary widely from state to state, county to county, and from federal defender organizations.
Updated November 25, 2021
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a Chief Public Defender Salaries
What is the average of a Chief Public Defender in California?
The Chief Public Defender salary range is from $74,545 to $104,065, and the average Chief Public Defender salary is $81,502/year in California.
The Chief Public Defender's salary will change in different locations.
Which location pays the highest Chief Public Defender salary in the United States?
The Chief Public Defender salary in San Jose, CA is $93,199
which is the highest in the US.
What kinds of reasons will influence the Chief Public Defender's salary?
Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary.
Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Chief Public Defender.
What is the growth rate of the Chief Public Defender's salary?
If you are thinking of becoming a Chief Public Defender or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Chief Public Defender.
