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Patent Attorney Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a patent attorney in the United States?
$185,351 per year
According to our research, the average salary for a patent attorney in the United States is $185,351 annually. The lowest salary is $119,188 annually, and the highest is $285,530 annually.
We compiled our salary data by scouring salary sites online and calculating the averages for the lowest, average, and highest patent attorney salaries.
Breakdown of Salary Sites
| Salary Site | Lowest Salary | Average Salary | Highest Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glassdoor.com | $195,748 | $253,733 | $336,544 |
| PayScale.com | $95,000 | $150,954 | $229,000 |
| ZipRecruiter.com | $67,000 | $149,437 | $259,500 |
| WifiTalents.com | $100,000 | $147,673 | $300,000+ |
| Indeed.com | $127,501 | $209,648 | $344,723 |
✓ The average Patent Lawyer salary in the United States, according to Salary.com, is $104,029, ranging between $53,405 and $165,512.
✓ According to Salary.com, the average Top Patent Attorney salary is $281,983, with a range between $195,659 and $363,431.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 37,530 active patent agents in 2024, according to the USPTO.
☀️ Projected growth for lawyers in 2022-2032 is faster than average and in the 5% to 8% range.
Work Environment
💼 Patent attorneys typically work in an office. They may travel to meet with clients and appear in court.
🏢 52% of lawyers work in legal services, while 13% are self-employed workers.
Experience & Education
Here are some of the typical daily activities for a patent attorney:
- Gathering Information — Actively seeking and acquiring necessary information from all relevant sources.
- Communication with Team — Sharing information with supervisors, colleagues, and team members.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving — Assessing data and outcomes to identify the best solutions and address issues effectively.
- Compliance Evaluation — Using information and personal judgment to ensure processes or events adhere to applicable laws, regulations, or standards.
- Conflict Resolution and Negotiation — Addressing complaints and negotiating to resolve conflicts efficiently.
- Interpreting Information — Clarifying and explaining the significance of information and its practical applications.
- Staying Informed and Applying Knowledge — Continuously updating and integrating new technical insights into work.
- Work Organization and Prioritization — Establishing clear goals and plans to effectively prioritize, organize, and complete tasks.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as a patent attorney:
- Effective Communication — Engaging in dialogue to clearly convey information.
- Attentive Listening — Fully concentrate on others’ words, understand their points, and ask relevant questions without interrupting.
- Logical Analysis — Applying logic and critical thinking to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions or conclusions.
- Reading Skills — Comprehending written content in work-related materials.
- Effective Writing — Crafting written communication tailored to the audience’s needs.
- Solving Complex Issues — Identifying intricate challenges and evaluating information to develop and implement solutions.
- Sound Decision Making — Weighing the costs and benefits of various actions to select the most suitable one.
- Facilitating Negotiation — Mediating to resolve differences and bring parties together.
Here is a list of some of the knowledge you need to gain work as a patent attorney:
- Understanding Law and Government — Familiarity with legal systems, including laws, regulations, court processes, and the democratic political system.
- Mastery of the English Language — Proficiency in English, including vocabulary, spelling, composition, and grammar.
- Customer and Personal Service Expertise — Knowledge of customer service principles, including assessing needs, meeting service quality standards, and evaluating satisfaction.
- Administrative Skills — Understanding of office procedures and systems, such as file management, word processing, transcription, and workplace terminology.
- Computers and Electronics Knowledge — Insight into electronic components, computer hardware, and software, including applications and programming.
- Media and Communication Insight — Understanding media production and communication methods to inform using various media forms effectively.
Average Education
Patent attorneys must have a law degree (J.D.) but may also have a Master’s or a Ph.D. along with their J.D.
They must also be registered to practice patent law with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This involves passing the patent bar exam and staying in good standing.
Related Careers
Patent Agent
Patent agents can practice patent law before the USPTO.
Average of $130,168/year