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Intellectual Property Attorney III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intellectual Property Attorney III in the United States is $245,979 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $118.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $269,772
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $216,359 to $258,433
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $189,392
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intellectual Property Attorney III Salaries

An Intellectual Property Attorney III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intellectual Property Attorney III'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
View as Graph

How Do Intellectual Property Attorney IIIs 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 Intellectual Property Attorney IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $272,348.
  • California: $271,315.
  • Massachusetts: $267,699.

Top Paying Cities for Intellectual Property Attorney III

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: $310,253
  • San Francisco: $306,856
  • Oakland: $300,390

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.97% 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.
  • Estate Planning (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging, during a person's life, for the management and disposal of that person's estate during the person's life and at and after death, while minimizing gift, estate, generation skipping transfer, and income tax. Estate planning includes planning for incapacity as well as a process of reducing or eliminating uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximizing the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. The ultimate goal of estate planning can be determined by the specific goals of the client, and may be as simple or complex as the client's needs dictate. Guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity. The law of estate planning overlaps to some degree with elder law, which additionally includes other provisions such as long-term care.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.97%
Estate Planning 2.71%
Microsoft Office 1.94%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Oral Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $280,416
14%
Collaboration $280,416
14%
Oral Communication $280,416
14%
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Intellectual Property Attorney III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intellectual Property Attorney III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $275,359. While startup companies pay approximate $232,947.

Intellectual Property Attorney III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $232,947
Growth Stage 51~500 $246,370
Established 501~5000 $265,908
Enterprise 5000+ $275,359

Intellectual Property Attorney III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intellectual Property Attorney III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Intellectual Property Attorney positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intellectual Property Attorney III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intellectual Property Attorney III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$307,474$148.025%
Energy & Utilities$295,175$142.020%
Internet$282,876$136.015%
Healthcare$270,577$130.010%
Pharmaceuticals$270,577$130.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intellectual Property Attorney III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Intellectual Property Attorney III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intellectual Property Attorney III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.0%
High School 95.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 5.0%
Doctorate 95.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Intellectual Property Attorney III'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
$216,359
Average $245,979/year
$258,433
$18,030
Average $20,498/month
$21,536
$4,161
Average $4,730/week
$4,970
$104
Average $118/hour
$124
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $258,433 $21,536 $4,970 $124
Average $245,979 $20,498 $4,730 $118
25th Percentile $216,359 $18,030 $4,161 $104

Intellectual Property Attorney III Salary Growth & Career Path

Intellectual Property Attorney III

Next Role

For an Intellectual Property Attorney III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intellectual Property Attorney IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $280,079 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Intellectual Property Attorney III

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

Common company salaries for Intellectual Property Attorney III

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

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FAQ about Intellectual Property Attorney III

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

An Intellectual Property Attorney III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Intellectual Property Attorney III is $310,253.

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

The highest pay for Intellectual Property Attorney III is $269,772.

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

The lowest pay for Intellectual Property Attorney III is $189,392.

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

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Intellectual Property Attorney III roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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