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Public Defender Salary in Wisconsin

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

Median Salary in WI
$112,743
Monthly: $9,395
Biweekly: $4,336
Entry Level
$71,496
Monthly: $5,958
Biweekly: $2,750
Senior Level
$158,116
Monthly: $13,176
Biweekly: $6,081
Job Growth
13%
Projected 10-year growth

Salary Breakdown

Pay PeriodEntry LevelMedianSenior
Annual$71,496$112,743$158,116
Monthly$5,958$9,395$13,176
Biweekly$2,750$4,336$6,081
Weekly$1,375$2,168$3,041
Hourly$34$54$76

WI vs National Comparison

National Median
$125,270
WI Median
$112,743
Difference
-$12,527
Multiplier
0.90x
National
WI

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

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Compare salaries for other legal jobs in Wisconsin:

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Explore Related Data for a Public Defender in Wisconsin

Dig into every angle of a public defender salary ($112,743 median) in Wisconsin — take-home pay, affordability, taxes, mortgage, retirement, and city-level data.

Take-home pay on $112,743 in Wisconsin

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

What you can afford on $112,743 in Wisconsin

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

Tax brackets on $112,743 in Wisconsin

Exactly which federal and state brackets your salary crosses.

$450,000 mortgage in Wisconsin

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

Retirement at 30 earning $120,000

Savings benchmarks and projections for your income level.

Public Defender salary in Milwaukee

Drill down to city-level salary data for Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median public defender salary in Wisconsin?

The median public defender salary in Wisconsin is $112,743, compared to a national median of $125,270.

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

Entry-level public defender positions in Wisconsin typically pay around $71,496 annually.

What is the senior public defender salary in Wisconsin?

Senior public defender professionals in Wisconsin earn around $158,116 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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