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Public Defender Salary in Iowa

Explore public defender salaries in Iowa including median pay, entry-level and senior compensation, and how it compares to the national average.

Median Salary in IA
$102,721
Monthly: $8,560
Biweekly: $3,951
Entry Level
$65,141
Monthly: $5,428
Biweekly: $2,505
Senior Level
$144,061
Monthly: $12,005
Biweekly: $5,541
Job Growth
13%
Projected 10-year growth

Salary Breakdown

Pay PeriodEntry LevelMedianSenior
Annual$65,141$102,721$144,061
Monthly$5,428$8,560$12,005
Biweekly$2,505$3,951$5,541
Weekly$1,253$1,975$2,770
Hourly$31$49$69

IA vs National Comparison

National Median
$125,270
IA Median
$102,721
Difference
-$22,549
Multiplier
0.82x
National
IA

About This Career

Defend individuals accused of crimes who cannot afford private attorneys.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) and Bar license required

Key Skills

Criminal DefenseTrial ExperienceLegal ResearchClient Advocacy

Compare States

See how Iowa compares to other states for public defender salaries:

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Compare salaries for other legal jobs in Iowa:

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Explore Related Data for a Public Defender in Iowa

Dig into every angle of a public defender salary ($102,721 median) in Iowa — take-home pay, affordability, taxes, mortgage, retirement, and city-level data.

Take-home pay on $102,721 in Iowa

Federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare — what you keep after taxes.

What you can afford on $102,721 in Iowa

Home price, rent, and monthly spending guidelines for this income.

Tax brackets on $102,721 in Iowa

Exactly which federal and state brackets your salary crosses.

$400,000 mortgage in Iowa

Monthly payment, property tax, and total interest at typical rates.

Retirement at 30 earning $100,000

Savings benchmarks and projections for your income level.

Public Defender salary in Des Moines

Drill down to city-level salary data for Des Moines, Iowa.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median public defender salary in Iowa?

The median public defender salary in Iowa is $102,721, compared to a national median of $125,270.

What is the entry-level public defender salary in Iowa?

Entry-level public defender positions in Iowa typically pay around $65,141 annually.

What is the senior public defender salary in Iowa?

Senior public defender professionals in Iowa earn around $144,061 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

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