Criminal Defense Attorney Salary Overview
The Criminal Defense Attorney is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $102,800. Compensation typically ranges from $48,200 for entry-level positions to $198,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Criminal Defense Attorney in the US earns between $48,200 and $198,600 per year, with a median of $102,800.
Criminal Defense Attorney Salary by Experience
Entry-level criminal defense attorneys earn around $66,820, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $138,780 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $68,876 | $33/hr | $54,232 |
| Mid | $102,800 | $49/hr | $75,008 |
| Senior | $135,696 | $65/hr | $94,744 |
| Lead | $157,284 | $76/hr | $107,492 |
Criminal Defense Attorney Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Criminal Defense Attorney in each US state.
Pay for criminal defense attorneys varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,975 | $7,864 | $75,731 | 26.3% |
| Alaska | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| Arizona | $102,800 | $14,230 | $2,205 | $7,864 | $78,501 | 23.6% |
| Arkansas | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,297 | $7,864 | $76,409 | 25.7% |
| California | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,698 | $7,864 | $75,008 | 27.0% |
| Colorado | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,863 | $7,864 | $76,843 | 25.3% |
| Connecticut | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,918 | $7,864 | $75,788 | 26.3% |
| Delaware | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,554 | $7,864 | $75,152 | 26.9% |
| District of Columbia | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,897 | $7,864 | $74,809 | 27.2% |
| Florida | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| Georgia | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,985 | $7,864 | $75,721 | 26.3% |
| Hawaii | $102,800 | $14,230 | $7,553 | $7,864 | $73,153 | 28.8% |
| Idaho | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,116 | $7,864 | $75,590 | 26.5% |
| Illinois | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,951 | $7,864 | $75,755 | 26.3% |
| Indiana | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,135 | $7,864 | $77,570 | 24.5% |
| Iowa | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,906 | $7,864 | $76,799 | 25.3% |
| Kansas | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,203 | $7,864 | $75,503 | 26.6% |
| Kentucky | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,986 | $7,864 | $76,720 | 25.4% |
| Louisiana | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,788 | $7,864 | $76,918 | 25.2% |
| Maine | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,812 | $7,864 | $74,893 | 27.1% |
| Maryland | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,710 | $7,864 | $75,996 | 26.1% |
| Massachusetts | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,920 | $7,864 | $75,786 | 26.3% |
| Michigan | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,131 | $7,864 | $76,575 | 25.5% |
| Minnesota | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,540 | $7,864 | $75,166 | 26.9% |
| Mississippi | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,254 | $7,864 | $76,452 | 25.6% |
| Missouri | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,063 | $7,864 | $76,642 | 25.4% |
| Montana | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,958 | $7,864 | $75,748 | 26.3% |
| Nebraska | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,483 | $7,864 | $76,223 | 25.9% |
| Nevada | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| New Hampshire | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| New Jersey | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,422 | $7,864 | $76,284 | 25.8% |
| New Mexico | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,042 | $7,864 | $76,664 | 25.4% |
| New York | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,389 | $7,864 | $75,317 | 26.7% |
| North Carolina | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,052 | $7,864 | $76,654 | 25.4% |
| North Dakota | $102,800 | $14,230 | $1,720 | $7,864 | $78,986 | 23.2% |
| Ohio | $102,800 | $14,230 | $2,128 | $7,864 | $78,578 | 23.6% |
| Oklahoma | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,393 | $7,864 | $76,313 | 25.8% |
| Oregon | $102,800 | $14,230 | $8,470 | $7,864 | $72,236 | 29.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,156 | $7,864 | $77,550 | 24.6% |
| Rhode Island | $102,800 | $14,230 | $3,647 | $7,864 | $77,058 | 25.0% |
| South Carolina | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,952 | $7,864 | $75,754 | 26.3% |
| South Dakota | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| Tennessee | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| Texas | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| Utah | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,780 | $7,864 | $75,926 | 26.1% |
| Vermont | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,844 | $7,864 | $75,862 | 26.2% |
| Virginia | $102,800 | $14,230 | $5,395 | $7,864 | $75,311 | 26.7% |
| Washington | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
| West Virginia | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,375 | $7,864 | $76,331 | 25.7% |
| Wisconsin | $102,800 | $14,230 | $4,361 | $7,864 | $76,345 | 25.7% |
| Wyoming | $102,800 | $14,230 | $0 | $7,864 | $80,706 | 21.5% |
Top Cities for Criminal Defense Attorney Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for criminal defense attorneys tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $113,080 |
| San Francisco, CA | $113,080 |
| Washington, DC | $113,080 |
| Chicago, IL | $113,080 |
| Boston, MA | $113,080 |
Calculate Criminal Defense Attorney Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Criminal Defense Attorney
Becoming a criminal defense attorney typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Criminal Defense Attorney Career Outlook
Employment of criminal defense attorneys is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Criminal Defense Attorney Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for criminal defense attorneys in the US is $102,800, with a typical range from $48,200 to $198,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for criminal defense attorneys include CA, NY, DC. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level criminal defense attorneys can expect to earn around $66,820 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a criminal defense attorney can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for criminal defense attorneys is approximately $49.42, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.