Los Angeles County / Public Defender
Agency file
The Public Defender handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.
In 2025, this agency had 1,297 employees with median total compensation of $178,093; the highest distinct record was $714,318.
What the records show
These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.
How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 1,297 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($178,093) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.
What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.
The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $346,409 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $55,488. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).
The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.
Record list
Highest-paid first / page 31
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Peter Foster holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $29,014.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Kaiya Mccullough serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $29,004.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Daniel Golub works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Daniel earned $28,829 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Matthew Wu is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,827.
Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender
Caitlyn Miranda works as a Student Professional Worker I for Public Defender. Caitlyn earned $28,757 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Jade Magana serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,729.
Senior Paralegal/Public Defender
Pamela Croft is a Senior Paralegal at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,722.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Micalyn Struble holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $28,692.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Nathan Williams works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Nathan earned $28,689 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Caitlin Tran holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $28,453.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Katie Selko holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $28,421.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Kerry Rork serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,396.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Gillian Norton works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Gillian earned $28,384 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Theresa Aronson serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,366.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Jenna Mcintosh works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Jenna earned $28,349 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Alayah Byers is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,053.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Katherine Rojas is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,010.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Sydney Wong holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $27,982.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Michael Diamandakis is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $27,389.
Student Professional Worker, Information Technician/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Jordy Moreno serves as a Student Professional Worker, Information Technician. Their 2025 pay totaled $27,294.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Anthony Gilmore holds the role of Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $27,136.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Diana Aguilar serves as a Senior Law Clerk. Their 2025 pay totaled $27,001.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Kristen Ferkich serves as a Senior Law Clerk. Their 2025 pay totaled $26,866.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Bryana Espinoza holds the role of Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $26,595.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Brianna Figueroa is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $26,539.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Wayne Jackson works as a Senior Law Clerk for Public Defender. Wayne earned $26,528 in 2025.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Daphane Poingsett works as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender for Public Defender. Daphane earned $26,495 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Garrett Miller serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $25,553.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Naira Khalid works as a Senior Law Clerk for Public Defender. Naira earned $25,470 in 2025.
Student Professional Worker, Information Technician/Public Defender
Jasmynn Vaughan works as a Student Professional Worker, Information Technician for Public Defender. Jasmynn earned $25,332 in 2025.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Laura Anderson works as a Senior Law Clerk for Public Defender. Laura earned $25,175 in 2025.
Student Professional Worker II/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Mariah Garcia serves as a Student Professional Worker II. Their 2025 pay totaled $25,031.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Kristina Ruvalcaba holds the role of Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $24,431.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Mariam Bablanian is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $24,262.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Grabiela Franco is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $24,228.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Kevin Williams is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $23,620.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Patricia Benjamin works as a Deputy Public Defender III for Public Defender. Patricia earned $23,556 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Aria Dardashti is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $23,412.
Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender
Brianna Felix is a Student Professional Worker I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $21,170.
Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender
Yamira Romero Madrigal is a Student Professional Worker I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $21,163.