How much does a Patent Attorney make in the United States?
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The average Patent Attorney salary in the United States is $162,164 as of February 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Patent Attorney positions (listed below) typically falls between $77,884 and $246,445. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Patent Attorney's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Patent Attorney II | $126,276 | $60.71 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Patent Attorney III | $154,909 | $74.48 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Patent Attorney I | $88,458 | $42.53 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Patent Attorney IV | $199,690 | $96.01 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Patent Attorney V | $218,414 | $105.01 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Patent Agent | $147,894 | $71.10 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Attorney I | $106,744 | $51.32 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Attorney III | $179,480 | $86.29 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Attorney IV | $198,471 | $95.42 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
| Attorney V | $223,783 | $107.59 | United States | February 01, 2026 |
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Manages and navigates the legal framework to ensure an organization's inventions or trademarks are valid and protected. Performs due diligence to evaluate whether a patent is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Prepares technical and legal descriptions of patents or trademarks that clearly define claims and meet application standards and patent office requirements. Files patent applications or trademark registrations and liaises with regulatory examiners to resolve objections, amend claims, and ensure approval. Monitors and reports patent infringements and prosecutes violations of the organization's registered trademarks. Requires registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Patent Attorney II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patent Agent/Attorney II, Patent Prosecution Attorney II, Trademark & Patent Attorney II, Patent Attorney IICategory : Legal Services
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Manages and navigates the legal framework to ensure an organization's inventions or trademarks are valid and protected. Performs due diligence to evaluate whether a patent is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Prepares technical and legal descriptions of patents or trademarks that clearly define claims and meet application standards and patent office requirements. Files patent applications or trademark registrations and liaises with regulatory examiners to resolve objections, amend claims, and ensure approval. Monitors and reports patent infringements and prosecutes violations of the organization's registered trademarks. Requires registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Patent Attorney III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patent Agent/Attorney III, Patent Prosecution Attorney III, Trademark & Patent Attorney III, Patent Attorney IIICategory : Legal Services
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Manages and navigates the legal framework to ensure an organization's inventions or trademarks are valid and protected. Performs due diligence to evaluate whether a patent is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Prepares technical and legal descriptions of patents or trademarks that clearly define claims and meet application standards and patent office requirements. Files patent applications or trademark registrations and liaises with regulatory examiners to resolve objections, amend claims, and ensure approval. Monitors and reports patent infringements and prosecutes violations of the organization's registered trademarks. Requires registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Patent Attorney I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patent Agent/Attorney I, Patent Prosecution Attorney I, Trademark & Patent Attorney I, Patent Attorney I
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Manages and navigates the legal framework to ensure an organization's inventions or trademarks are valid and protected. Performs due diligence to evaluate whether a patent is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Prepares technical and legal descriptions of patents or trademarks that clearly define claims and meet application standards and patent office requirements. Files patent applications or trademark registrations and liaises with regulatory examiners to resolve objections, amend claims, and ensure approval. Monitors and reports patent infringements and prosecutes violations of the organization's registered trademarks. Requires registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Patent Attorney IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patent Agent/Attorney IV, Patent Prosecution Attorney IV, Trademark & Patent Attorney IV, Patent Attorney IVCategory : Legal Services
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Manages and navigates the legal framework to ensure an organization's inventions or trademarks are valid and protected. Performs due diligence to evaluate whether a patent is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Prepares technical and legal descriptions of patents or trademarks that clearly define claims and meet application standards and patent office requirements. Files patent applications or trademark registrations and liaises with regulatory examiners to resolve objections, amend claims, and ensure approval. Monitors and reports patent infringements and prosecutes violations of the organization's registered trademarks. Requires registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Patent Attorney V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patent Agent/Attorney V, Patent Prosecution Attorney V, Trademark & Patent Attorney V, Patent Attorney VCategory : Legal Services
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Negotiates and drafts patent agreements; prepares documents for filing and processing. May work with both legal and product development teams to ensure proper filings. Must be registered to practice with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. May require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. View Patent Agent SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patent Agent (Non-Attorney), Patent Agreement Technical Writer, Patent Application Agent, Patent Filing Documentation Specialist, Patent Agent
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Attorney I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel I, Lawyer I, Attorney I
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Attorney III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel III, Lawyer III, Attorney IIICategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Attorney IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel IV, Lawyer IV, Attorney IVCategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Attorney V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel V, Lawyer V, Attorney VCategory : Legal Services