You’ve been charged with a crime and need to obtain the services of an attorney. You do a Google search for “criminal defense attorney” and you see over thirty-thousand results! A person could search through those pages forever trying to find a lawyer that’s right for them…which is why I put together this guide. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary in finding a criminal defense attorney and help you compare their skill sets to determine who would be the best fit for you.
The average salary for a criminal defense attorney was $83,020 in 2009. This number was the median. Meaning half of all the attorneys made more than this amount and and half made less. Most criminal attorneys work in law firms with other attorneys. The top 10% of lawyers that fall within this category earned anywhere from $179,600 to $226,800 annually.
The average salary for a criminal defense attorney is $100,000 per year.
This information is based on a survey of criminal defense attorneys conducted by the American Bar Association in 2017. The survey included responses from 5,000 lawyers who worked at law firms or private practices with offices in the United States.
The median salary was $90,000 per year. The highest-paid 10% of respondents earned more than $200,000 annually. This article serves as a guide for how much does a criminal defense lawyer make an hour, criminal defense attorney salary by state.
Salary for criminal defense attorney
Criminal lawyers, also known as criminal defense lawyers and public defenders, work to defend individuals, organizations, and entities that have been charged with a crime. Criminal lawyers handle a diverse spectrum of criminal cases, ranging from domestic violence crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes and drug crimes to driving under the influence (DUI), theft, embezzlement, and fraud.
Criminal Lawyer Duties & Responsibilities
Criminal lawyers represent defendants facing criminal charges in state, federal and appellate courts. Their scope of practice includes bail bond hearings, plea bargains, trial, revocation hearings (parole or probation), appeals and post-conviction remedies. As part of the lawyer’s job functions, a criminal lawyer will:
- Investigate the case and interview witnesses
- Research case law, statutes, crimes codes, and procedural law
- Build a defense and develop a case strategy
- Negotiate with the prosecution to plea bargain to lesser charges
- Draft, file and argue motions such as motions to dismiss and motions to suppress
- Advocate for the defendant at trial
- Draft, file and argue appeals
Criminal Lawyer Salary
Criminal lawyer salaries vary, depending on the size and scope of the practice, the clientele the firm serves and the geographic location of the firm. Public defender and non-profit salaries are usually modest (the $30,000 to $50,000 range is common).
Criminal lawyers employed in law firms generally earn the highest salaries; experienced criminal attorneys can earn well into the six figures. The highest paid criminal lawyers are often those that represent high-profile, wealthy defendants in high-stakes cases.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the salary range for all attorneys, including criminal attorneys, is as follows:
- Median Annual Salary: $120,910 ($58.13 /hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $208,000 ($100/hour)
- Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $58,220 ($27.99/hour)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018
how much does a criminal defense lawyer make an hour
The average hourly wage for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in the United States is $45 as of September 26, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $39 and $52.
criminal defense attorney salary by state
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $90,953 | $7,579 | $1,749 | $43.73 |
| Hawaii | $88,432 | $7,369 | $1,700 | $42.52 |
| Minnesota | $87,799 | $7,316 | $1,688 | $42.21 |
| Massachusetts | $87,677 | $7,306 | $1,686 | $42.15 |
| Nevada | $87,415 | $7,284 | $1,681 | $42.03 |
| Connecticut | $86,720 | $7,226 | $1,667 | $41.69 |
| Rhode Island | $84,631 | $7,052 | $1,627 | $40.69 |
| Oregon | $84,014 | $7,001 | $1,615 | $40.39 |
| Washington | $83,767 | $6,980 | $1,610 | $40.27 |
| Alaska | $83,588 | $6,965 | $1,607 | $40.19 |
| Ohio | $83,121 | $6,926 | $1,598 | $39.96 |
| New York | $82,829 | $6,902 | $1,592 | $39.82 |
| North Dakota | $82,345 | $6,862 | $1,583 | $39.59 |
| Iowa | $80,238 | $6,686 | $1,543 | $38.58 |
| Maryland | $79,599 | $6,633 | $1,530 | $38.27 |
| Utah | $79,475 | $6,622 | $1,528 | $38.21 |
| South Dakota | $78,343 | $6,528 | $1,506 | $37.67 |
| New Hampshire | $77,715 | $6,476 | $1,494 | $37.36 |
| Virginia | $77,629 | $6,469 | $1,492 | $37.32 |
| California | $76,700 | $6,391 | $1,475 | $36.88 |
| Idaho | $76,096 | $6,341 | $1,463 | $36.58 |
| Nebraska | $75,821 | $6,318 | $1,458 | $36.45 |
| Vermont | $75,720 | $6,310 | $1,456 | $36.40 |
| Colorado | $75,683 | $6,306 | $1,455 | $36.39 |
| Delaware | $75,407 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36.25 |
| Kansas | $74,669 | $6,222 | $1,435 | $35.90 |
| South Carolina | $74,193 | $6,182 | $1,426 | $35.67 |
| Mississippi | $73,723 | $6,143 | $1,417 | $35.44 |
| Arkansas | $72,946 | $6,078 | $1,402 | $35.07 |
| Arizona | $72,924 | $6,077 | $1,402 | $35.06 |
| Wyoming | $72,690 | $6,057 | $1,397 | $34.95 |
| New Jersey | $72,373 | $6,031 | $1,391 | $34.79 |
| Maine | $72,311 | $6,025 | $1,390 | $34.77 |
| Montana | $72,231 | $6,019 | $1,389 | $34.73 |
| Oklahoma | $71,638 | $5,969 | $1,377 | $34.44 |
| Kentucky | $71,329 | $5,944 | $1,371 | $34.29 |
| Indiana | $70,839 | $5,903 | $1,362 | $34.06 |
| Michigan | $70,795 | $5,899 | $1,361 | $34.04 |
| Louisiana | $70,270 | $5,855 | $1,351 | $33.78 |
| Missouri | $69,225 | $5,768 | $1,331 | $33.28 |
| Illinois | $69,087 | $5,757 | $1,328 | $33.22 |
| Wisconsin | $68,485 | $5,707 | $1,317 | $32.93 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,112 | $5,676 | $1,309 | $32.75 |
| Texas | $67,096 | $5,591 | $1,290 | $32.26 |
| West Virginia | $66,854 | $5,571 | $1,285 | $32.14 |
| New Mexico | $65,127 | $5,427 | $1,252 | $31.31 |
| Alabama | $64,267 | $5,355 | $1,235 | $30.90 |
| Florida | $62,535 | $5,211 | $1,202 | $30.07 |
| North Carolina | $62,184 | $5,182 | $1,195 | $29.90 |
| Georgia | $57,833 | $4,819 | $1,112 | $27.80 |
Top 50 Highest Paying States for Criminal Lawyer Jobs in the U.S.
We’ve identified 11 states where the typical salary for a Criminal Lawyer job is above the national average. Topping the list is Tennessee, with Hawaii and Minnesota close behind in second and third. Minnesota beats the national average by 5.8%, and Tennessee furthers that trend with another $7,932 (9.6%) above the $83,021.
With these 11 states paying on average above the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Criminal Lawyer appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
About Our Data
ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third party data sources.
Education, Training & Certification
The education and other requirements to practice as a criminal attorney are as follows:
- Education: Like all lawyers, criminal lawyers must first complete a bachelor’s degree, then obtain a law degree. The two degrees typically take a total of seven years to complete.
- License: Criminals attorneys must pass the bar examination in the state in which they intend to practice.
- Certification: Some criminal lawyers earn a board certification from the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC). The NBLSC is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Bar Association to provide board certification for attorneys and is an outgrowth of the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Criminal Lawyer Skills & Competencies
Criminal lawyers must possess a variety of additional skills to succeed in their jobs, including the following:
- Writing and speaking skills: Excellent oral and written advocacy skills in order to argue a client’s case before a judge and persuade a jury.
- Research and investigative skills: Investigative and research skills are also important in building a client’s case and establishing a strong defense.
- Creative and analytical skills: Strong creative thinking and analytical skills to develop a legal strategy, analyze case law and litigate complex cases.
- Legal knowledge and experience: In-depth understanding of state, federal and local rules, court procedures, evidentiary laws, and local judges to navigate the criminal justice system efficiently and competently.
- Interpersonal skills: Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary to build a strong client-attorney relationship. Criminal defendants are a finicky group who sometimes go through many lawyers before settling on one they like. Therefore, the ability to attract and retain clients is essential to a thriving criminal defense practice.
Job Outlook
Criminal law is a growing practice niche. As crime rates spiral upwards and criminal laws change, the number of people sentenced to prison has risen nearly threefold over the past 30 years. Crime rates have increased and prison populations are exploding across the country. As new criminal laws are codified and more Americans are charged under state and federal laws, the need for criminal lawyers to defend the accused will also rise.
According to the BLS, the growth in jobs for all attorneys, including criminal attorneys, from 2016-2026 relative to other occupations and industries is 8%. This growth rate compares to the projected 7% growth for all occupations.
Work Environment
Most criminal lawyers work in private practice or in a solo firm. Some work for non-profit agencies or for the government as public defenders. Criminal lawyers often work long, irregular hours. They frequently meet with clients outside their office at the courthouse, prisons, hospitals and other venues. Most criminal lawyers maintain a local practice. However, for criminal attorneys with a national practice, frequent travel is required.
Work Schedule
Most attorneys work full-time hours and many work over 40 hours each week. Attorneys working either in large firms or in private practice often work extra hours, preparing and reviewing documents, and conducting research.
