Chief Public Defender Salaries in Texas
How Much Does a Chief Public Defender Make in Texas?
Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Chief Public Defender in Texas is $72,073.
While Salary.com is seeing that Chief Public Defender salary in TX can go up to $110,192
or down to $60,320, but most earn between $65,921 and $92,026.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Bexar County
Assistant Public Defender I
|
$128,722/yr
|
RANGE: $115,336 - $142,108
|
|
Dallas County
PARALEGAL. PUBLIC DEFENDER
|
$80,430/yr
|
RANGE: $72,134 - $88,725
|
|
National Legal Aid & Defender Association
Assistant Federal Public Defender
|
$127,616/yr
|
RANGE: $114,345 - $140,888
|
|
Dallas County
LEGAL SECRETARY. PUBLIC DEFENDER
|
$65,963/yr
|
RANGE: $58,716 - $73,209
|
|
Dallas County
ATTORNEY V. PUBLIC DEFENDER
|
$160,416/yr
|
RANGE: $145,544 - $175,288
|
|
Dallas County
SOCIAL WORKER. PUBLIC DEFENDER
|
$62,718/yr
|
RANGE: $55,874 - $69,562
|
|
Jackson County
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER/ADMINISTRATOR
|
$160,371/yr
|
RANGE: $143,190 - $177,552
|
|
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
|
|
County of Santa Cruz
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
|
$133,988/yr
|
RANGE: $119,707 - $148,269
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Chief Public Defender Jobs in Texas
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 Texas.
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 Texas.
Houston takes first place in this list, followed by Galveston, Pasadena.
The Chief Public Defender salary is $73,758 in Houston,
which is lower than the national average. There is 0 city's Chief Public Defender salary higher than national average in Texas.
The average salary for a Chief Public Defender in Texas is $72,073,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for Chief Public Defender jobs is Houston, TX, and it is higher than Galveston.
Chief Public Defender jobs in Houston can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in Texas.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| Houston | $73,758 | $6,147 | $1,418 | $35 |
| Galveston | $73,485 | $6,124 | $1,413 | $35 |
| Pasadena | $73,485 | $6,124 | $1,413 | $35 |
| Austin | $73,160 | $6,097 | $1,407 | $35 |
| Dallas | $72,968 | $6,081 | $1,403 | $35 |
| Plano | $72,968 | $6,081 | $1,403 | $35 |
| Garland | $72,968 | $6,081 | $1,403 | $35 |
| Irving | $72,968 | $6,081 | $1,403 | $35 |
| Richardson | $72,968 | $6,081 | $1,403 | $35 |
| Carrollton | $72,931 | $6,078 | $1,403 | $35 |
What Does a Chief Public Defender Do?
Public defender agencies of all kinds are supported by public funding, but are ethically bound to be independent and do not take direction from the government as to the acceptance or handling of cases, or to the hiring of staff attorneys.
Updated September 26, 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
A good example of such an issue is when Louisiana public defenders were so underfunded, had such a large shortage, and had a huge excessive workload that the office was forced to put defendants in need of a public defender on a waiting list.
Updated December 20, 2021
Mayer Goldman, back in the heydays of the public defender program, questioned what should happen if the public defender represents a guilty defendant.
Updated December 19, 2021
Several countries, including the UK, Hungary and Singapore, and some states of Australia, provide people with public defenders.
Updated December 15, 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 Texas?
The Chief Public Defender salary range is from $65,921 to $92,026, and the average Chief Public Defender salary is $72,073/year in Texas.
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.
