How much is a crime defense attorney's base salary in the northeast?

Take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm and review http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/average-annual-salary-defense-lawyer-28414.html I would also encourage you to reach out to criminal defense lawyers at small, medium, and large firms in the location you want to practice to get a good idea about the hourly rates, salaries, and the employment market.

I don't disagree with the previous answer. However, you posted this in the Idaho forum and asked about pay in the "Northeast." Did you mean east Idaho or the "Northwest?" I want to bring that to your attention so that you can have a better chance of receiving the information that you are looking for. As a final note to add to the previous comments, you also may want to consider what it costs to work for yourself. Many lawyers, with a job market that offers low-paying jobs, decide to open their own practices. While you may not want to do so, there are pros and cons to whichever course you take. At least give it some consideration and learn how to set yourself up for success if you chose such a route. Good luck!

It really depends a lot on where you go and what you do there. Big city or little town? Likely going to make more in a large city than a small town. Private attorney or public defender? Again, likely going to make more at a private firm than as a public defender. There's a wide range between being a defense attorney at a big firm in a big city and being a public defender in a small town.