Chief Public Defender Salaries in Massachusetts
How Much Does a Chief Public Defender Make in Massachusetts?
Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Chief Public Defender in Massachusetts is $80,416.
While Salary.com is seeing that Chief Public Defender salary in MA can go up to $122,946
or down to $67,302, but most earn between $73,552 and $102,678.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Brown County
Chief Public Defender
|
$139,188/yr
|
RANGE: $124,712 - $153,663
|
|
County of Santa Cruz
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
|
$133,988/yr
|
RANGE: $119,707 - $148,269
|
|
County of Mason (WA)
Chief Public Defender
|
$153,051/yr
|
RANGE: $137,135 - $168,967
|
|
Santa Cruz County, CA
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
|
$196,582/yr
|
RANGE: $174,575 - $218,589
|
|
Clark County
Assistant Chief Public Defender - Office of Public Defense
|
$161,172/yr
|
RANGE: $144,821 - $177,524
|
|
State of Maryland
Chief of Labor and Employment Assistant Public Defender, Supervisor
|
$171,985/yr
|
RANGE: $152,732 - $191,238
|
|
Committee for Public Counsel
2025 Public Defender Division Trial Attorney - Statewide Positions
|
$150,439/yr
|
RANGE: $134,794 - $166,083
|
|
Troup County Board of Commissioners
Public Defender
|
$121,244/yr
|
RANGE: $108,635 - $133,852
|
|
Chenango County
Public Defender
|
$82,083/yr
|
RANGE: $73,244 - $90,921
|
|
Paulding County Circuit Defender's Office
Public Defender
|
$134,835/yr
|
RANGE: $121,085 - $148,584
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Chief Public Defender Jobs in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts.
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 Massachusetts.
Boston takes first place in this list, followed by Cambridge, Waltham.
The Chief Public Defender salary is $82,411 in Boston,
which is higher than the national average. There are 36 cities' Chief Public Defender salary higher than national average in Massachusetts.
The average salary for a Chief Public Defender in Massachusetts is $80,416,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for Chief Public Defender jobs is Boston, MA, and it is higher than Cambridge.
Chief Public Defender jobs in Boston can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in Massachusetts.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| Boston | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Cambridge | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Waltham | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Newton | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Arlington | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Brookline | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Lynn | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Malden | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Medford | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
| Quincy | $82,411 | $6,868 | $1,585 | $40 |
What Does a Chief Public Defender Do?
The state Office of the Chief Public Defender plans to again seek legislation next year that would require defense attorneys to have access to reports on defendants charged in domestic violence cases.
Updated December 01, 2021
Federal Public Defender offices are customarily located in larger metropolitan areas, but serve clients throughout their assigned area.
Updated November 11, 2021
In fact, the excessive caseloads for the public defenders results in many defendants calling their defender a "dump truck", complaining that they feel as if the defender is just trying to dump them rather than actually try to defend them.
Updated October 08, 2021
The public defenders, especially the State appointed ones, have to deal with numerous issues with respect to excessive caseloads and low salaries.
Updated October 05, 2021
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
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a Chief Public Defender Salaries
What is the average of a Chief Public Defender in Massachusetts?
The Chief Public Defender salary range is from $73,552 to $102,678, and the average Chief Public Defender salary is $80,416/year in Massachusetts.
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.
