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Death Penalty Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Florida Courts

$64K/yr

Drafts proposed orders for motions filed in and issues arising during death penalty cases; drafts proposed orders imposing a life-or-death sentence in death penalty cases. * Reviews files, evidence ...

Mohave County

Attorney I-IV

Kingman, AZ · On-site

$95K - $132K/yr

Prosecutes and/or Defends, all classes of felony and gross misdemeanor preliminary hearings including murder cases, and murder cases in which the death penalty is sought to be imposed (if death ...

Cumberland County

Assistant Public Defender

Carlisle, PA · On-site

$62K - $94K/yr

Senior Assistant Public Defender II: Attorney with 5-6 years of relevant experience and actively working towards becoming death penalty qualified * Senior Assistant Public Defender III: Attorney with ...

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$23.5K

$57.1K

$95K

How much do death penalty jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for death penalty in the United States is $57,133.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,500.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Death Penalty vs Forensic Pathologist?

AspectDeath PenaltyForensic Pathologist
Required CredentialsLegal knowledge, criminal justice understandingMedical degree, pathology certification
Work EnvironmentLegal settings, courts, prisonsHospitals, morgues, crime labs
Industry UsageCriminal justice, law enforcementMedical, forensic science
Common Search/ComparisonLegal procedures, capital punishmentAutopsies, crime scene analysis

While the death penalty involves legal processes for capital punishment, forensic pathologists focus on determining cause of death through medical examinations. Both roles are connected to the justice system but serve different functions—one in law enforcement and legal proceedings, the other in medical investigation.

What are some common challenges faced by attorneys working on death penalty cases?

Attorneys handling death penalty cases often face unique challenges, including managing emotionally charged situations, navigating complex legal procedures, and dealing with significant time pressures due to strict filing deadlines. These cases require thorough investigation, collaboration with experts such as forensic specialists and mitigation investigators, and often involve extensive appeals processes. The high stakes and public scrutiny can also contribute to a stressful work environment, making resilience and strong support systems essential for professionals in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a death penalty professional?

To thrive as a capital defense attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and extensive knowledge of criminal and constitutional law. Familiarity with legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis and certifications in capital case litigation are highly valuable. Exceptional analytical thinking, emotional resilience, and persuasive communication are crucial soft skills in this high-stakes environment. These competencies ensure rigorous defense, ethical conduct, and the ability to handle the unique pressures of capital cases.

What is a death penalty job?

A Death Penalty job typically refers to roles within the legal and criminal justice system that deal with capital punishment cases. These jobs may include attorneys, judges, forensic experts, prison officials, and policymakers who handle death row cases, appeals, and executions. Professionals in this field work on both prosecution and defense sides, ensuring legal procedures are followed. Some roles focus on advocacy, aiming to reform or abolish the death penalty.

What is the death penalty?

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is a legal process where a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. It is typically reserved for the most serious crimes, such as murder or acts of terrorism. The use and legality of the death penalty vary widely around the world, with some countries actively using it, others having abolished it, and some maintaining it in law but not in practice. Debates about the death penalty often focus on issues of morality, deterrence, fairness, and the risk of wrongful execution.
More about Death Penalty jobs
What cities are hiring for Death Penalty jobs? Cities with the most Death Penalty job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Death Penalty jobs? The most popular types of Death Penalty jobs are:
What states have the most Death Penalty jobs? States with the most job openings for Death Penalty jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Death Penalty jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Death Penalty jobs are:
Death Penalty jobs near you
Infographic showing various Death Penalty job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $57,133 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Attorney Advisor (Senior Counsel - Death Penalty)

The United States Department of Justice

Saint Louis, MO • On-site

$152 - $197/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Attorney Advisor (Senior Counsel - Death Penalty)

Hiring Organization

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Hiring Office

North Central Regional Office, Kansas City, KS

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Location: Robert A. Young Federal Building, 1222 Spruce Street, Suite 6-200A

Application Deadline:

Monday, August 17, 2026

About the Office

This position is organizationally assigned to the Federal Bureau of Prisons\' (BOP) North Central Regional Office. The physical duty location is at the Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The legal practice at St. Louis CLC covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, either through administrative or litigation channels and includes such matters as inmates\' reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, and discipline. The office handles issues specifically related to the federal death penalty, execution protocols, and correctional legal issues arising from the confinement of individuals sentenced to death.

Job Description

The incumbent is responsible for directing, managing, and implementing Presidential Executive Orders, Department of Justice (DOJ) directives and guidance, and BOP initiatives related to the federal death penalty. The incumbent works closely with and advises BOP Executive staff and DOJ senior leadership to develop and manage policy initiatives related to the death penalty and to ensure obligations related to the federal death penalty are fulfilled.

The incumbent provides legal advice and guidance regarding the confinement of death sentenced inmates, which may include issues relating to access to counsel and the courts, conditions of confinement, medical or mental health treatment, and access to or denial of rights or privileges unique to this population. This may require occasional travel to the Special Confinement Unit, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, or other facilities housing death-sentenced inmates.

The incumbent is responsible for analyzing, providing legal interpretations, and preparing reports concerning the development and implementation of the federal execution protocol. This may involve leading a team of attorneys and other subject matter experts to provide recommendations concerning the development, adoption, or modification of federal execution protocols.

The incumbent will assist U.S. Attorney\'s Offices and DOJ litigating components to defend litigation arising from the administration of the federal death penalty, execution protocols, or civil litigation relating to the confinement of death sentenced inmates and will provide assistance during capital prosecutions of federal defendants. The incumbent provides advice and guidance regarding the processing of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests concerning the federal death penalty and provides assistance to defend litigation resulting therefrom.

The incumbent may be required to attend federal executions to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory framework, legal precedent, Executive Orders, and departmental policy and may oversee, coordinate, or direct BOP staff in carrying out a federal death sentence.

Applicants who are not current Federal government employees will be covered by Non-Federal Law Enforcement retirement.

Current Federal Government employees covered under Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) retirement and have not completed three years of primary LEO coverage, will not be covered by Law Enforcement Retirement while in this position. Applicants must return to a position with primary LEO position to regain coverage.

A prerequisite of the secondary law enforcement position is the completion of the mandatory courses in \"Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II\". If you have not completed the mandatory courses in \"Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II\", you are ineligible for a secondary law enforcement position and coverage. This is not applicable to non-law enforcement positions.

Qualifications

Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least four (4) years of post - J.D. experience, and some experience related to the death penalty.
Preferred qualifications: Prior and extensive experience in correctional law and/or federal civil litigation is preferred, but not required.

Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-15 ($151,699 to $197,200).

Number of Positions

One

Travel

Occasional Travel

Relocation Expenses

This and othervacancy announcements can be found underAttorney Vacancies andVolunteer Legal Internships . The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

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