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Intellectual Property Attorney I Salary in the United States

How much does an Intellectual Property Attorney I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intellectual Property Attorney I in the United States is $168,541 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.

However, an Intellectual Property Attorney I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $199,544
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,326 to $184,769
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,653

Key Factors That Influence Intellectual Property Attorney I Salaries

An Intellectual Property Attorney I'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Intellectual Property Attorney I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intellectual Property Attorney I'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:

  • Intellectual Property Attorney I (0-2 years): $168,541
  • Intellectual Property Attorney II (2-4 years): $195,164
  • Intellectual Property Attorney III (4-7 years): $245,979
  • Intellectual Property Attorney IV (7+ years): $280,079
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intellectual Property Attorney I0-2 years$168,541
Intellectual Property Attorney II2-4 years$195,164
Intellectual Property Attorney III4-7 years$245,979
Intellectual Property Attorney IV7+ years$280,079

Top Paying Cities for Intellectual Property Attorney I

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:

  • San Jose: $212,581
  • San Francisco: $210,253
  • Oakland: $205,822

What Skills Can Increase an Intellectual Property Attorney I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.83% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Intellectual Property (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind. It can be an invention (patent / utility model), a design (industrial design), a brand name (trademark, or a literary and artistic work (copyright).
  • Blockchain (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): Blockchain is the grow list of records, called blocks, which are securely linked together using cryptography.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.83%
Intellectual Property 2.7%
Blockchain 2.19%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Intellectual Property Attorney I's salary.

  • Bankruptcy: Can increase your salary by up to 49%.
  • Cost Control: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Case Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Bankruptcy $251,126
49%
Cost Control $202,249
20%
Case Management $190,451
13%

Intellectual Property Attorney I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intellectual Property Attorney I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $188,672. While startup companies pay approximate $159,612.

Intellectual Property Attorney I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $159,612
Growth Stage 51~500 $168,809
Established 501~5000 $182,196
Enterprise 5000+ $188,672

Intellectual Property Attorney I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intellectual Property Attorney I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Intellectual Property Attorney positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intellectual Property Attorney I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intellectual Property Attorney I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$202,249$97.020%
Internet$202,249$97.020%
Pharmaceuticals$202,249$97.020%
Software & Networking$202,249$97.020%
Financial Services$193,822$93.015%

How Education impacts an Intellectual Property Attorney I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intellectual Property Attorney I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intellectual Property Attorney I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Intellectual Property Attorney I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intellectual Property Attorney I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 1.8%
Associates 7.0%
Bachelors 7.0%
Masters 7.0%
Doctorate 84.2%

Intellectual Property Attorney I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intellectual Property Attorney I'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$151,326
Average $168,541/year
$184,769
$12,611
Average $14,045/month
$15,397
$2,910
Average $3,241/week
$3,553
$73
Average $81/hour
$89
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $184,769 $15,397 $3,553 $89
Average $168,541 $14,045 $3,241 $81
25th Percentile $151,326 $12,611 $2,910 $73

Intellectual Property Attorney I Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Intellectual Property Attorney I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intellectual Property Attorney II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,164 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Intellectual Property Attorney I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Intellectual Property Attorney I

Here are companies hiring for Intellectual Property Attorney I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intellectual Property Attorney I

1. Where can an Intellectual Property Attorney I earn the most?

An Intellectual Property Attorney I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Intellectual Property Attorney I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Intellectual Property Attorney I is $212,581.

2. What is the highest pay for Intellectual Property Attorney I?

The highest pay for Intellectual Property Attorney I is $199,544.

3. What is the lowest pay for Intellectual Property Attorney I?

The lowest pay for Intellectual Property Attorney I is $135,653.

4. What are the responsibilities of Intellectual Property Attorney I?

Responsible for advising clients and organizations on the laws that govern the creation, use, and ownership of intellectual property. Prepares and files patent and/or trademark documents, licensing agreements, service agreements, copyrights, transfer agreements, and other contracts with the relevant government agencies. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Intellectual Property Attorney I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Intellectual Property Attorney I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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