Patent agent salary
Answer in brief
Wysebridge estimates U.S. patent agent pay at roughly $70,000 to $180,000, with a median near $120,000. No government survey measures patent agent pay; the USPTO's published pay table is the firmest benchmark.
The range and median are a company estimate.
USPTO pay table, 2026
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $55,330 | $71,930 |
| GS-7 | $68,539 | $89,102 |
| GS-9 | $80,145 | $104,194 |
| GS-11 | $93,779 | $121,919 |
| GS-12 | $107,813 | $140,160 |
| GS-13 | $131,841 | $171,396 |
| GS-14 | $155,797 | $197,200 |
| GS-15 | $183,257 | $197,200 |
2026 annual special rates for USPTO patent series 1220–1226, OPM Table 0576. GS-14 and GS-15 are capped at $197,200 (Executive Schedule Level IV).
More detail
See Patent Agent Salary for pay by experience and employer.
Sources for this entry
- Wysebridge — Patent agent salary, 2026 Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
Publisher estimate: U.S. patent agent pay roughly $70,000–$180,000, median about $120,000. No underlying survey is named. - OPM 2026 special rates, Table 0576 (USPTO patent examiners and patent attorneys) U.S. Office of Personnel Management
2026 annual pay for USPTO series 1220–1226 (incl. 1222 Patent Attorney, 1224 Patent Examiner): GS-5 step 1 $55,330 to GS-14/15 cap $197,200.
Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.
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How to Become a Patent Agent. “Patent agent salary.” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://howtobecomeapatentagent.com/patent-agent-salary/