As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Defender in California is $111,850 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a Public Defender's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Public Defender Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $123,026 | $10,252 | $2,366 | $59 |
| Average | $111,850 | $9,321 | $2,151 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,982 | $8,248 | $1,903 | $48 |
Federal Public Defender, Central District of California - Los Angeles, CA
Western Plains Public Health - MANDAN, ND
Focus Staff - RAPID CITY, SD
Focus Staff - LEBANON, NH
A Public Defender'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 Public Defender'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 |
|---|---|
| Public De... Level Public Defender | $111,028 |
| Attorney ... Level Public Defender | $147,396 |
| Attorney ... Level Public Defender | $208,224 |
| Attorney ... Level Public Defender | $237,076 |
| Attorney ... Level Public Defender | $281,362 |
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 Public Defenders. 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 Public Defender 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, Public Defender positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Defender as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $134,220 | $65.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $134,220 | $65.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $134,220 | $65.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $134,220 | $65.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $134,220 | $65.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Public Defender'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 | $123,026 | $10,252 | $2,366 | $59 |
| Average | $111,850 | $9,321 | $2,151 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,982 | $8,248 | $1,903 | $48 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Public Defender job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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