Public Defender Salary in District of Columbia
Explore public defender salaries in District of Columbia 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 | $107,244 | $169,115 | $237,173 |
| Monthly | $8,937 | $14,093 | $19,764 |
| Biweekly | $4,125 | $6,504 | $9,122 |
| Weekly | $2,062 | $3,252 | $4,561 |
| Hourly | $52 | $81 | $114 |
DC 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
Compare States
See how District of Columbia compares to other states for public defender salaries:
Compare Jobs
Compare salaries for other legal jobs in District of Columbia:
Explore Related Data for a Public Defender in District of Columbia
Dig into every angle of a public defender salary ($169,115 median) in District of Columbia — take-home pay, affordability, taxes, mortgage, retirement, and city-level data.
Take-home pay on $169,115 in District of Columbia
Federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare — what you keep after taxes.
What you can afford on $169,115 in District of Columbia
Home price, rent, and monthly spending guidelines for this income.
Tax brackets on $169,115 in District of Columbia
Exactly which federal and state brackets your salary crosses.
$700,000 mortgage in District of Columbia
Monthly payment, property tax, and total interest at typical rates.
Retirement at 30 earning $175,000
Savings benchmarks and projections for your income level.
Public Defender salary in Washington
Drill down to city-level salary data for Washington, District of Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median public defender salary in District of Columbia?
The median public defender salary in District of Columbia is $169,115, compared to a national median of $125,270.
What is the entry-level public defender salary in District of Columbia?
Entry-level public defender positions in District of Columbia typically pay around $107,244 annually.
What is the senior public defender salary in District of Columbia?
Senior public defender professionals in District of Columbia earn around $237,173 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