New Jersey / Office of the Public Defender / Legal Secretary 2

Job-title file

Legal Secretary 2

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

56 employees hold this title in Office of the Public Defender. Median total compensation for the role is $47,864, below the department median of $86,980.

Employees: 56
Total payroll: $2.8M
Role median: $47,864
Agency median: $86,980
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$22,682$58,766+

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

How total compensation varies among the 56 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

Legal Secretary 2 pay vs. New Jersey

Across all employers in New Jersey, the median wage for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants — about 4,160 people — is $63,080. Office of the Public Defender pays a median base salary of $48,362 for this role, 23% below that figure — about the 24th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Office of the Public Defender sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$41,900

$48,910

$63,080

$76,100

$89,010

Office of the Public Defender median · $48,362

The bar is the range of annual wages for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants across every employer in New Jersey, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Office of the Public Defender’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants — about 156,280 people — is $55,570. Office of the Public Defender’s median base salary is 13% below that national figure, about the 34th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$36,500

$44,450

$55,570

$71,970

$91,730

Office of the Public Defender median · $48,362

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 New Jersey range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 66 of 68 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 Office of the Public Defender is $48,915, 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 departments

This role across New Jersey

Legal Secretary 2 is held in 2 New Jersey departments. In Office of the Public Defender, the median of $47,864 ranks #1 of 2.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Law and Public Safety

$34,621 · 5

Median total compensation for the Legal Secretary 2 role in other New Jerseydepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Legal Secretary beyond New Jersey

This role is reported in 21 jurisdictions. In New Jersey, the median of $48,915 ranks #12 of 21. See Legal Secretary across all of New Jersey →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

City and County of San Francisco

$158,525 · 60

$104,988 · 117

$92,295 · 11

$68,958 · 796

$67,608 · 5

$62,406 · 55

School District of Philadelphia

$62,204 · 5

City of Phoenix, Arizona

$57,530 · 5

Median total compensation for comparable Legal Secretaryroles 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 2

Joshua Buzzelli

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$46,566

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $46,060
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $505
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,566
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Buzzelli, Joshua
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 168516
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $47,504
Year-to-Date Earnings: $46,566

Joshua Buzzelli works as a Legal Secretary 2 for Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. Joshua earned $46,566 in 2024. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Amanda Ricci

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$46,253

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,733
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $519
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,253
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Ricci, Amanda
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 153115
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $51,387
Year-to-Date Earnings: $46,253

Amanda Ricci works as a Legal Secretary 2 for Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. Amanda earned $46,253 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Rima Rodriguez

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$46,130

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,611
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $519
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,130
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Rodriguez, Rima
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 157195
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $51,387
Year-to-Date Earnings: $46,130

Rima Rodriguez is a Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. 2024 total compensation came to $46,130. Their bargaining unit is Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Marilyn Echevarria

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$46,130

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,611
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $519
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,130
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Echevarria, Marilyn
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 157351
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $51,387
Year-to-Date Earnings: $46,130

Marilyn Echevarria holds the role of Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $46,130. Their bargaining unit is Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Meredith Nuva

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$45,849

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,340
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $510
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,849
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Nuva, Meredith
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 160226
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $45,849

Meredith Nuva holds the role of Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,849. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Felecia Walton

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$45,847

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,340
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $508
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,847
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Walton, Felecia
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 150596
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $45,847

Felecia Walton is a Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. 2024 total compensation came to $45,847. They are represented by Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Shavaughan Smith

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$45,844

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,340
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $504
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,844
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Smith, Shavaughan
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 160284
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $45,844

At Office of the Public Defender, Shavaughan Smith serves as a Legal Secretary 2 within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,844. Their bargaining unit is Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Brittany Harris

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$45,785

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,283
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $502
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,785
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Harris, Brittany
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 160161
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $45,785

Brittany Harris holds the role of Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,785. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Barbara Wright

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$45,785

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $45,283
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $502
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,785
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Wright, Barbara
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 160892
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $45,785

At Office of the Public Defender, Barbara Wright serves as a Legal Secretary 2 within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,785. Their bargaining unit is Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Nicole Jeffers

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$44,800

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $44,306
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $494
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,800
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Jeffers, Nicole
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 163868
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $44,800

Nicole Jeffers holds the role of Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,800. They are represented by Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Grisel Rivera

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$44,610

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $44,122
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $488
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,610
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Rivera, Grisel
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 165709
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $44,610

At Office of the Public Defender, Grisel Rivera serves as a Legal Secretary 2 within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. Their 2024 pay totaled $44,610. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Diane Iapoce

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$44,484

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $44,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $484
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,484
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Iapoce, Diane
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 166718
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $49,446
Year-to-Date Earnings: $44,484

At Office of the Public Defender, Diane Iapoce serves as a Legal Secretary 2 within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. Their 2024 pay totaled $44,484. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Dana Knoetig

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$43,990

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $43,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $484
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,990
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Knoetig, Dana
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 167772
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $47,504
Year-to-Date Earnings: $43,990

At Office of the Public Defender, Dana Knoetig serves as a Legal Secretary 2 within Office of the Public Defender. Records show a hire date of null. Their 2024 pay totaled $43,990. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Chante Rose

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$43,151

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $42,597
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $554
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,151
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Rose, Chante
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 15192
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $51,387
Year-to-Date Earnings: $43,151

Chante Rose works as a Legal Secretary 2 for Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. Chante earned $43,151 in 2024. They are represented by Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Meghan Hoffman

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$38,124

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $37,499
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $626
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,124
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: null

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Hoffman, Meghan
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 129720
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $57,213
Year-to-Date Earnings: $38,124

Meghan Hoffman works as a Legal Secretary 2 for Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. Meghan earned $38,124 in 2024. Union affiliation: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.

Toni Davis

Legal Secretary 2/Office of the Public Defender

2024 total comp

$22,682

Sub-department: Office of the Public Defender
Base pay: $12,260
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,421
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $22,682
Hire date: null
Union / bargaining unit: Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A
Pay basis: Annual
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

As-of Date: Dec 31, 2024
Calendar Quarter: 4
Full Name: Davis, Toni R
Paid Section Description: null
Payroll ID: 108575
Record Type: Master
Salary Hourly Rate: $59,030
Year-to-Date Earnings: $22,682

Toni Davis holds the role of Legal Secretary 2 at Office of the Public Defender within Office of the Public Defender. Their hire date on record is null. In 2024, their total compensation was $22,682. They are represented by Administrative and Clerical Services (Cwa) - Unit A.