What are the main factors that influence a Public Defender's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Public Defender?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Public Defender roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Public Defender's salary?

A Public Defender's salary grows with experience: an Public Defender (0-2 years)earns $101,939, an Attorney II (2-4 years)earns $135,329, an Attorney III (4-7 years)earns $191,177, an Attorney IV (7+ years)earns $217,667, an Attorney V (7-10 years)earns $258,327,

What are the highest paying states for a Public Defender?

Public Defender salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Public Defender roles are District of Columbia $112,276, California $111,850, Massachusetts $110,359. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Public Defender roles make?

Salaries for Public Defender level roles vary by specialization: Assistant Federal Defender: $152,609; Assistant Public Defender: $99,077; Deputy Public Defender: $98,724; Public Speaker: $98,133; Assistant Federal Public Defender: $98,009.

Public Defender Salary in Delaware

How much does a Public Defender make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Defender in Delaware is $102,693 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, a Public Defender's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,297
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $90,878 to $112,955
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,122

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Public Defender Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$112,955	$9,413	$2,172	$54
Average	$102,693	$8,558	$1,975	$49
25th Percentile	$90,878	$7,573	$1,748	$44

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Public Defender Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Public Defender Salaries?

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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $101,939
Early Career (1-2 years): $135,329
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $191,177
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $217,667
Expert (over 8 years): $258,327

Levels	Salary
Public De... Level Public Defender	$101,939
Attorney ... Level Public Defender	$135,329
Attorney ... Level Public Defender	$191,177
Attorney ... Level Public Defender	$217,667
Attorney ... Level Public Defender	$258,327

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Public Defender Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:

District of Columbia: $112,276.
California: $111,850.
Massachusetts: $110,359.

District of Columbia $112,276 California $111,850 Massachusetts $110,359 Washington $109,953 New Jersey $109,913 Alaska $109,771 Connecticut $108,372 New York $107,804

Hawaii $105,989 Rhode Island $105,137 Maryland $104,559 Minnesota $103,768 Colorado $103,464 Illinois $103,362 Oregon $102,977 Delaware $102,693

New Hampshire $102,514 Virginia $102,115 Pennsylvania $100,949 Nevada $100,361 North Dakota $100,168 Michigan $99,864 Wisconsin $99,752 Vermont $99,529

Texas $98,910 Maine $98,870 Arizona $98,809 Ohio $98,738 Georgia $97,805 Indiana $97,339 Wyoming $97,247 Utah $97,105

Iowa $97,045 Kansas $96,558 Louisiana $96,416 North Carolina $96,365 Missouri $96,345 Florida $95,949 Montana $95,736 Nebraska $95,534

Kentucky $95,422 South Carolina $95,016 Tennessee $94,763 Idaho $94,662 New Mexico $93,921 Oklahoma $93,759 Alabama $93,161 South Dakota $92,157

Arkansas $91,609 West Virginia $91,315 Mississippi $90,433

Top Paying Cities for Public Defenders

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:

Lincoln: $102,230
Little Creek: $102,979
Magnolia: $102,831

Lincoln, DE $102,230 Little Creek, DE $102,979 Magnolia, DE $102,831 Milford, DE $102,490 Marydel, DE $102,658 Millsboro, DE $101,801 Millville, DE $101,959 Milton, DE $102,135

Nassau, DE $102,209 Ocean View, DE $101,941 Rehoboth Beach, DE $102,137 Seaford, DE $102,195 Selbyville, DE $101,772 Smyrna, DE $103,050 Viola, DE $102,575 Woodside, DE $102,851

Bear, DE $102,614 Newark, DE $102,575 Claymont, DE $102,785 Delaware City, DE $102,678 Hockessin, DE $102,566 Kirkwood, DE $102,658 Middletown, DE $102,698 Montchanin, DE $102,589

New Castle, DE $102,605 Odessa, DE $102,749 Port Penn, DE $102,818 Rockland, DE $102,600 Saint Georges, DE $102,665 Townsend, DE $102,824 Winterthur, DE $102,612 Lewes, DE $102,175

Wilmington, DE $102,571 Dover, DE $102,979 Dover Afb, DE $102,436 Bethany Beach, DE $101,834 Bethel, DE $101,939 Bridgeville, DE $102,180 Camden Wyoming, DE $102,689 Cheswold, DE $102,945

Clayton, DE $102,948 Dagsboro, DE $101,763 Delmar, DE $101,600 Ellendale, DE $101,908 Felton, DE $102,482 Fenwick Island, DE $101,785 Frankford, DE $101,608 Frederica, DE $102,583

Georgetown, DE $101,724 Greenwood, DE $102,196 Harbeson, DE $101,833 Harrington, DE $102,352 Hartly, DE $102,671 Houston, DE $102,206 Kenton, DE $102,953 Laurel, DE $101,664

Yorklyn, DE $102,597

Public Defender Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Public Defender

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense	$123,231	$59.0	20%
Biotechnology	$123,231	$59.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$123,231	$59.0	20%
Financial Services	$123,231	$59.0	20%
Healthcare	$123,231	$59.0	20%

Public Defender Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$90,878

Average $102,693/year

$112,955

$7,573

Average $8,558/month

$9,413

$1,748

Average $1,975/week

$2,172

$44

Average $49/hour

$54

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$112,955	$9,413	$2,172	$54
Average	$102,693	$8,558	$1,975	$49
25th Percentile	$90,878	$7,573	$1,748	$44

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