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

Jessica Escalante

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$87,914

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $87,914
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,914
Hire date: 05-01-2023
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22158473

Jessica Escalante holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 05-01-2023. In 2026, their total compensation was $87,914. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Cody Bassham

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$87,721

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $87,721
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,721
Hire date: 11-28-2016
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095093

Cody Bassham is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 11-28-2016. 2026 total compensation came to $87,721. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Charles Roberts

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$86,416

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $86,416
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,416
Hire date: 06-21-2021
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095140

Charles Roberts is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 06-21-2021. 2026 total compensation came to $86,416. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Nicole Brooks

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 09-25-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142765

Nicole Brooks works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-25-2022. Nicole earned $85,943 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Matthew Rose

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 10-02-2023
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22150659

Matthew Rose holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 10-02-2023. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Shannon Briese

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 06-05-2021
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22158472

Shannon Briese is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 06-05-2021. 2026 total compensation came to $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Catherine Crawford

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 09-18-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095123

Catherine Crawford holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-18-2022. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Kyle Blyth

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 03-16-2026
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095112

Kyle Blyth holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 03-16-2026. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Brittani Burnette

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 04-10-2020
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095053

Brittani Burnette holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 04-10-2020. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Chad Pollock

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 05-10-2026
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095101

At AR Public Defender Commission, Chad Pollock serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 05-10-2026. Their 2026 pay totaled $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Emily Reynolds

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 09-12-2023
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22159926

Emily Reynolds holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-12-2023. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

John Atkins

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 06-12-2020
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095064

John Atkins holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 06-12-2020. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Christopher Cheadle

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 12-03-2018
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095105

At AR Public Defender Commission, Christopher Cheadle serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-03-2018. Their 2026 pay totaled $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Jessica Ratcliffe

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 05-15-2023
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184488

Jessica Ratcliffe works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 05-15-2023. Jessica earned $85,943 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Tabatha Branch

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 06-15-2020
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142767

At AR Public Defender Commission, Tabatha Branch serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 06-15-2020. Their 2026 pay totaled $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Shelby Morrow

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 04-18-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095090

Shelby Morrow works as a Public Defender II for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 04-18-2022. Shelby earned $85,943 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Caitlyn Brainerd

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 04-10-2023
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22181897

Caitlyn Brainerd holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 04-10-2023. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Paul Gann

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 01-02-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22179440

At AR Public Defender Commission, Paul Gann serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 01-02-2019. Their 2026 pay totaled $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Timothy Scarbrough

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 01-27-2025
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095091

Timothy Scarbrough holds the role of Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 01-27-2025. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,943. Their pay grade is Spc05.

Ashley James

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 12-11-2022
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22179439

Ashley James is a Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-11-2022. 2026 total compensation came to $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.

Lori Listopad

Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$85,943

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $85,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,943
Hire date: 04-29-2019
Pay grade: Spc05
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD04P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079208

At AR Public Defender Commission, Lori Listopad serves as a Public Defender II within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 04-29-2019. Their 2026 pay totaled $85,943. They are classified at grade Spc05.