Arkansas / AR Public Defender Commission / Public Defender II

Job-title file

Public Defender II

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

93 employees hold this title in AR Public Defender Commission. Median total compensation for the role is $53,152, below the department median of $59,625.

Employees: 93
Total payroll: $5.9M
Role median: $53,152
Agency median: $59,625
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$21,486$111,353+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 93 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Public Defender II pay vs. Arkansas

Across all employers in Arkansas, the median wage for Lawyers — about 3,430 people — is $98,880. AR Public Defender Commission pays a median base salary of $59,625 for this role, 40% below that figure — about the 17th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where AR Public Defender Commission sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$49,900

$69,470

$98,880

$132,490

$220,660

AR Public Defender Commission median · $59,625

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in Arkansas, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows AR Public Defender Commission’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. AR Public Defender Commission’s median base salary is 63% below that national figure, below the 10th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

AR Public Defender Commission median · $59,625

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Arkansas range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 235 of 236 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at AR Public Defender Commission is $59,625, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare jurisdictions

Public Defender beyond Arkansas

This role is reported in 3 jurisdictions. In Arkansas, the median of $59,625 ranks #3 of 3. See Public Defender across all of Arkansas →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Florida

$223,318 · 18

Tennessee

$217,056 · 30

Median total compensation for comparable Public Defenderroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Evelyn Winston

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$43,936

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $43,936
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,936
Hire date: 08-25-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142766

Evelyn Winston is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 08-25-2019, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $43,936. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Michael Bearden

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 07-07-2024
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079213

Michael Bearden is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 07-07-2024, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Lauren Collins

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 05-28-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095054

At AR Public Defender Commission, Lauren Collins serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 05-28-2019, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Steven Grady

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 11-24-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095114

At AR Public Defender Commission, Steven Grady serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 11-24-2025, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Samantha Bolton

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 10-26-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079200

Samantha Bolton is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 10-26-2022, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

April Rogers

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 05-26-2021
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095095

April Rogers works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 05-26-2021 as a 0.5 FTE employee. April earned $42,972 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

James Stayton

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 07-12-2021
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142764

James Stayton is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 07-12-2021, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Justin Hurst

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 01-05-2026
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184490

Justin Hurst holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 01-05-2026 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $42,972. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Jacob Potter

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 03-04-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095046

Jacob Potter holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 03-04-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $42,972. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Richard Hughes

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 06-02-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095104

Richard Hughes works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 06-02-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Richard earned $42,972 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Sara Rogers

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 09-29-2017
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095072

Sara Rogers holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-29-2017 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $42,972. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Armando Fonticiella

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 12-15-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22077916

At AR Public Defender Commission, Armando Fonticiella serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-15-2019, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Christopher Wardlow

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 01-20-2026
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095107

Christopher Wardlow works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 01-20-2026 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Christopher earned $42,972 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

John Sydow

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 06-26-2023
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22150661

John Sydow works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 06-26-2023 as a 0.5 FTE employee. John earned $42,972 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Kevin Church

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 04-01-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142757

Kevin Church holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 04-01-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $42,972. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Vicky Ingram

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 01-17-2018
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095097

Vicky Ingram holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 01-17-2018 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $42,972. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Story Phillips

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 12-08-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079200

Story Phillips is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-08-2025, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Michael King

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 05-10-2026
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184484

At AR Public Defender Commission, Michael King serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 05-10-2026, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Valerie Palmedo-Goudie

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 07-08-2024
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142763

At AR Public Defender Commission, Valerie Palmedo-Goudie serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 07-08-2024, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Evan Hogue

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 03-08-2021
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095052

Evan Hogue works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 03-08-2021 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Evan earned $42,972 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

William Stoner

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 11-25-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079213

William Stoner is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 11-25-2019, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Jay Coleman

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 10-31-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095050

Jay Coleman is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 10-31-2022, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

William Kees

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 08-08-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095049

William Kees holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 08-08-2022 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $42,972. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Susan Crawford

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 11-24-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095079

At AR Public Defender Commission, Susan Crawford serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 11-24-2025, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Stuart Cearley

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 06-03-2003
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142763

Stuart Cearley is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 06-03-2003, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Joseph Hughes

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 02-20-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095062

Joseph Hughes works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 02-20-2019 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Joseph earned $42,972 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Lee Warden

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$42,972

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $42,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,972
Hire date: 05-31-2011
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095063

At AR Public Defender Commission, Lee Warden serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 05-31-2011, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $42,972. They are classified at grade Spc05.