Public Defender Salary in California
Explore public defender salaries in California including median pay, entry-level and senior compensation, and how it compares to the national average.
Salary Breakdown
| Pay Period | Entry Level | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $101,683 | $160,346 | $224,876 |
| Monthly | $8,474 | $13,362 | $18,740 |
| Biweekly | $3,911 | $6,167 | $8,649 |
| Weekly | $1,955 | $3,084 | $4,325 |
| Hourly | $49 | $77 | $108 |
CA vs National Comparison
About This Career
Defend individuals accused of crimes who cannot afford private attorneys.
Education
Juris Doctor (JD) and Bar license required
Key Skills
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Explore Related Data for a Public Defender in California
Dig into every angle of a public defender salary ($160,346 median) in California — take-home pay, affordability, taxes, mortgage, retirement, and city-level data.
Take-home pay on $160,346 in California
Federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare — what you keep after taxes.
What you can afford on $160,346 in California
Home price, rent, and monthly spending guidelines for this income.
Tax brackets on $160,346 in California
Exactly which federal and state brackets your salary crosses.
$650,000 mortgage in California
Monthly payment, property tax, and total interest at typical rates.
Retirement at 30 earning $150,000
Savings benchmarks and projections for your income level.
Public Defender salary in Los Angeles
Drill down to city-level salary data for Los Angeles, California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median public defender salary in California?
The median public defender salary in California is $160,346, compared to a national median of $125,270.
What is the entry-level public defender salary in California?
Entry-level public defender positions in California typically pay around $101,683 annually.
What is the senior public defender salary in California?
Senior public defender professionals in California earn around $224,876 annually.
What is the job growth outlook for public defender?
The projected 10-year job growth outlook for public defender positions is 13%, which indicates strong demand in this field.
What education is needed to become a public defender?
Juris Doctor (JD) and Bar license required