Rhode Island / Public Defender
Agency file
The Public Defender handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.
In 2026, this agency had 109 employees with median total compensation of $23,153; the highest distinct record was $63,069.
What the records show
These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.
How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 109 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($23,153) — 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 $37,412 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $11,960. 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.
Trend
How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 3 published years.
| Year | Total payroll | Employees | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8.3M — | 123 — | $67,654 — |
| 2025 | $8.7M ▲ 4.8% | 118 ▼ 4.1% | $77,322 ▲ 14.3% |
| 2026 | $2.7M ▼ 69.1% | 109 ▼ 7.6% | $23,153 ▼ 70.1% |
Compare
Departments elsewhere with the most similar mix of roles — a proxy for the same kind of agency, matched by workforce composition rather than name. Pay is not cost-of-living adjusted.
Record list
Page 1
Assistant Public Defender I/Public Defender
Source-specific fields
Chelsea Haggerty works as a Assistant Public Defender I for Public Defender. Chelsea earned $31,318 in 2026.
Assist Public Defender II/Public Defender
Source-specific fields
Glen Whitehead holds the role of Assist Public Defender II at Public Defender. In 2026, their total compensation was $31,285.
Director of Public Information/Public Defender
Source-specific fields
Daniel Bright holds the role of Director of Public Information at Public Defender. In 2026, their total compensation was $30,891.
Assistant Public Defender/Public Defender
Source-specific fields
David Shein holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defender. In 2026, their total compensation was $30,669.
Staff Attorney II/Public Defender
Source-specific fields
Diana Perez holds the role of Staff Attorney II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $29,671.