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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Defense Attorney in Maryland is $102,203 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.
However, a Defense Attorney's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Defense Attorney Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $112,394 | $9,366 | $2,161 | $54 |
| Average | $102,203 | $8,517 | $1,965 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,438 | $7,536 | $1,739 | $43 |
Franklin & Prokopik - Baltimore, MD
RB Legal Recruiting - Towson, MD
RB Legal Recruiting - Parkville, MD
Kalbaugh, Pfund & Messersmith - Hanover, MD
A Defense Attorney's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Defense Attorney's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Defense A... Level Defense Attorney | $101,453 |
| Attorney ... Level Defense Attorney | $134,691 |
| Attorney ... Level Defense Attorney | $190,308 |
| Attorney ... Level Defense Attorney | $216,677 |
| Attorney ... Level Defense Attorney | $257,174 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Defense Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Defense Attorney roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Defense Attorney positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Defense Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $122,643 | $59.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $122,643 | $59.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $122,643 | $59.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $122,643 | $59.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $122,643 | $59.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Defense Attorney's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $112,394 | $9,366 | $2,161 | $54 |
| Average | $102,203 | $8,517 | $1,965 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,438 | $7,536 | $1,739 | $43 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Defense Attorney job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Saboura & Colombo, P.C.
Rockville, MD
Saboura & Colombo, P.C. | Rockville, MD
We are hiring motivated trial attorneys to join our litigation team.We will also consider qualified candidates for:A non-exclusive Of Counsel arrangement A... more
1 Day Ago
Butt Thornton & Baehr PC
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Butt Thornton & Baehr PC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM
For more than 60 years, Butt Thornton & Baehr PC (BTB) has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and excellence in New Mexico's business, legal, and g... more
5 Months Ago
Steffens Law Office, PC LLO
BROKEN BOW, NE
Cardinal Title Group
HANOVER, PA
Cardinal Title Group | HANOVER, PA
Cardinal Title Group is accepting resumes for a Settlement Attorney to join our growing Pennsylvania team. The candidate must be able to conduct Real Estat... more
3 Months Ago
Cardinal Title Group
GREENCASTLE, PA
Cardinal Title Group | GREENCASTLE, PA
Cardinal Title Group is accepting resumes for a Settlement Attorney to join our growing Pennsylvania team. The candidate must be able to conduct Real Estat... more
3 Months Ago
Dion J. Custis P.C.
CHEYENNE, WY
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