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Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Salary in California

How much does an Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution in California is $115,947 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, an Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $137,165
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,722 to $127,053
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,591
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Salaries

An Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $113,634
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $165,229
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $187,970
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $218,104
  • Expert (over 8 years): $275,410
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution less than 1 year $113,634
Patent Attorney II 1-2 years $165,229
Patent Attorney III 2-4 years $187,970
Patent Attorney IV 5-8 years $218,104
Patent Attorney V over 8 years $275,410

How Do Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecutions. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $116,389.
  • California: $115,947.
  • Massachusetts: $114,402.

Top Paying Cities for Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $116,147
  • West Hollywood: $116,063
  • Dodgertown: $116,146

Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution positions in Business Services or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $150,732 $72.0 30%
Biotechnology $139,137 $67.0 20%
Financial Services $133,339 $64.0 15%
Pharmaceuticals $129,861 $62.0 12%
Software & Networking $127,542 $61.0 10%

Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$103,722
Average $115,947/year
$127,053
$8,643
Average $9,662/month
$10,588
$1,995
Average $2,230/week
$2,443
$50
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,053 $10,588 $2,443 $61
Average $115,947 $9,662 $2,230 $56
25th Percentile $103,722 $8,643 $1,995 $50

Find Your Next Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate (Attorney), Patent Prosecution job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Direct Counsel | San Diego, CA

    Patent Litigation Associate Attorney

    Direct Counsel | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Patent. Litigation Associate Attorney (Life Sciences/ANDA). Locations. Washington, DC, San Diego & Palo Alto, CA. Practic... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County | Los Angeles, CA

    Senior Patent Attorney

    Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County | Los Angeles, CA

    A leading law firm is looking for an experienced patent attorney to join their Intellectual Property Practice Group.The ideal candidate will have 8-15 year... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Direct Counsel | San Jose, CA

    Trademark Associate Attorney

    Direct Counsel | San Jose, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Trademark Associate Attorney (Prosecution). Boston, MA | New York, NY | San Diego, CA | Silicon Valley, CA | Washington, ... more

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  • Direct Counsel | San Diego, CA

    Trademark Associate Attorney

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    Job Description. Job Description. Trademark Associate Attorney (Prosecution). Boston, MA | New York, NY | San Diego, CA | Silicon Valley, CA | Washington, ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Charles V. Hardenbergh Pc | LEXINGTON, VA

    Associate Attorney

    Charles V. Hardenbergh Pc | LEXINGTON, VA

    Our law firm has a full-time associate attorney position available now, and we're looking for the right professional to join our team. You will have the op... more

    6 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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