Tennessee / Public Defenders Conference / Assistant Public Defender

Job-title file

Assistant Public Defender

Provide administrative support — record-keeping, scheduling, correspondence, and customer service.

288 employees hold this title in Public Defenders Conference. Median total compensation for the role is $133,236, above the department median of $106,596.

Employees: 288
Total payroll: $38M
Role median: $133,236
Agency median: $106,596
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$34,320$185,724+

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

How total compensation varies among the 288 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

Assistant Public Defender pay vs. Tennessee

Across all employers in Tennessee, the median wage for Lawyers — about 9,010 people — is $136,180. Public Defenders Conference pays a median base salary of $133,236 for this role, 2% below that figure — about the 48th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Public Defenders Conference sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$76,510

$98,750

$136,180

$198,470

$324,880

Public Defenders Conference median · $133,236

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in Tennessee, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Public Defenders Conference’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. Public Defenders Conference’s median base salary is 17% below that national figure, about the 38th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Public Defenders Conference median · $133,236

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 Tennessee range relative to the national one.

Median total compensation for this role at Public Defenders Conference is $133,236, 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

Assistant Public Defender beyond Tennessee

This role is reported in 6 jurisdictions. In Tennessee, the median of $133,236 ranks #2 of 6. See Assistant Public Defender across all of Tennessee →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

$513,588 · 8

$63,121 · 579

$54,640 · 267

$37,440 · 35

Cook County, Illinois

$26,404 · 508

Median total compensation for comparable Assistant 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

Danessa Herd

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 143588

At Public Defenders Conference, Danessa Herd serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Jay Perry

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 505938

Jay Perry holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

James Tucker

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 447660

James Tucker holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Chad Wilson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 179310

At Public Defenders Conference, Chad Wilson serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Timothy Boyer

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Andrew

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 712368

At Public Defenders Conference, Timothy Boyer serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Ashley Boyer

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Daniel

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 447614

Ashley Boyer holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Samuel Clemons

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 142334

Samuel Clemons works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Samuel earned $137,664 in 2026.

Jefre Goldtrap

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 603929

Jefre Goldtrap holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Chasity Hancock

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-13-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 446576

Chasity Hancock holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-13-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Steven Hooper

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 568001

At Public Defenders Conference, Steven Hooper serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Kenneth Moynihan

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 598726

Kenneth Moynihan works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Kenneth earned $137,664 in 2026.

Phillip Ratliff

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 379764

Phillip Ratliff works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Phillip earned $137,664 in 2026.

Preston Pierce

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 602396

Preston Pierce holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Ian Mccabe

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-09-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 517037

At Public Defenders Conference, Ian Mccabe serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-09-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Dorothy Cherry

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-10-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 435234

At Public Defenders Conference, Dorothy Cherry serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-10-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $133,236.

Ryan Curtis

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 390039

Ryan Curtis is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $133,236.

Martin Dunn

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-27-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 398157

Martin Dunn works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-27-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Martin earned $133,236 in 2026.

William Gill

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: Appellate Division
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 400863

At Public Defenders Conference, William Gill serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Appellate Division. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $133,236.

Andrew Pate

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 594353

Andrew Pate works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Andrew earned $133,236 in 2026.

Justin Sensing

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 121456

Justin Sensing is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $133,236.

Colby Block

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-22-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 540264

Colby Block is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-22-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $133,236.

Andrea Hayduk

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 664587

Andrea Hayduk is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $133,236.

Cashauna Lattimore

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 476017

Cashauna Lattimore works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Cashauna earned $133,236 in 2026.

John Scott

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 647645

John Scott holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-25-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $133,236.

Wesley Taylor

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$133,236

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $133,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,236
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Keith

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,103
Employee ID: 395133

Wesley Taylor works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Wesley earned $133,236 in 2026.