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Patent Attorney II Salary in the United States

How much does a Patent Attorney II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Patent Attorney II in the United States is $151,722 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, a Patent Attorney II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $182,383
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $137,952 to $167,771
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $125,415
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Patent Attorney II Salaries

A Patent Attorney II'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 Patent Attorney II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Patent Attorney II'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:

  • Patent Attorney I (0-2 years): $104,357
  • Patent Attorney II (2-4 years): $151,722
  • Patent Attorney III (4-7 years): $172,608
  • Patent Attorney IV (7+ years): $200,271
  • Patent Attorney V (7-10 years): $252,825
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Patent Attorney I0-2 years$104,357
Patent Attorney II2-4 years$151,722
Patent Attorney III4-7 years$172,608
Patent Attorney IV7+ years$200,271
Patent Attorney V7-10 years$252,825
View as Graph

How Do Patent Attorney IIs 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 Patent Attorney IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $167,987.
  • California: $167,349.
  • Massachusetts: $165,119.

Top Paying Cities for Patent Attorney II

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: $191,367
  • San Francisco: $189,272
  • Oakland: $185,283

What Skills Can Increase a Patent Attorney II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Negotiating (Mentioned in 4% Job Postings): Applying negotiation concepts and techniques in a dialogue between two or more parties to reach a win-win solution.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 3.03% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
  • Blockchain (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Blockchain is the grow list of records, called blocks, which are securely linked together using cryptography.
Skills Demand Percentage
Negotiating 4%
Cost Control 3.03%
Blockchain 2.06%
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 a Patent Attorney II's salary.

  • Cost Control: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Mediation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cost Control $186,618
23%
Mediation $160,825
6%
Confidentiality $159,308
5%
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Patent Attorney II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Patent Attorney II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,844. While startup companies pay approximate $143,684.

Patent Attorney II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $143,684
Growth Stage 51~500 $151,963
Established 501~5000 $164,015
Enterprise 5000+ $169,844

Patent Attorney II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Patent Attorney II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Patent Attorney positions in Software & Networking or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Patent Attorney II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Patent Attorney II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$212,411$102.040%
Financial Services$197,239$95.030%
Biotechnology$189,652$91.025%
Energy & Utilities$182,066$88.020%
Healthcare$174,480$84.015%

How Education impacts an Patent Attorney II's Salary?

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

Patent Attorney II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Patent Attorney II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 2.4%
Associates 9.5%
Bachelors 7.1%
Masters 9.5%
Doctorate 81.0%
View as Graph

Patent Attorney II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Patent Attorney II'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
$137,952
Average $151,722/year
$167,771
$11,496
Average $12,644/month
$13,981
$2,653
Average $2,918/week
$3,226
$66
Average $73/hour
$81
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $167,771 $13,981 $3,226 $81
Average $151,722 $12,644 $2,918 $73
25th Percentile $137,952 $11,496 $2,653 $66

Patent Attorney II Salary Growth & Career Path

Patent Attorney II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Patent Attorney II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Patent Agent $108,035 -29%
Patent Attorney III $172,608 14%

Most common benefits for Patent Attorney II

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

Common company salaries for Patent Attorney II

Here are companies hiring for Patent Attorney II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Patent Attorney II

1. Where can a Patent Attorney II earn the most?

A Patent Attorney II'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, a Patent Attorney II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Patent Attorney II is $191,367.

2. What is the highest pay for Patent Attorney II?

The highest pay for Patent Attorney II is $182,383.

3. What is the lowest pay for Patent Attorney II?

The lowest pay for Patent Attorney II is $125,415.

4. What are the responsibilities of Patent Attorney II?

Manages and navigates the legal framework to ensure an organization's inventions or trademarks are valid and protected. Performs due diligence to evaluate whether a patent is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Prepares technical and legal descriptions of patents or trademarks that clearly define claims and meet application standards and patent office requirements. Files patent applications or trademark registrations and liaises with regulatory examiners to resolve objections, amend claims, and ensure approval. Monitors and reports patent infringements and prosecutes violations of the organization's registered trademarks. Requires registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Patent Attorney II?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Patent Attorney II roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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