Patent Prosecution Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Patent Prosecution Associate make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Patent Prosecution Associate in the United States is $105,569 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,545
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,207 to $116,025
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,773
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View as table View as graph 25% $95,207 10% $85,773 90% $125,545 75% $116,025 $105,569 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Patent Prosecution Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $116,025 $9,669 $2,231 $56
Average $105,569 $8,797 $2,030 $51
25th Percentile $95,207 $7,934 $1,831 $46
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Key Factors That Influence Patent Prosecution Associate Salaries

A Patent Prosecution Associate'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 Prosecution Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Patent Prosecution Associate'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $103,122
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,410
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,289
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $110,486
  • Expert (over 8 years): $112,164
Levels Salary
Entry Level Patent Prosecution Associate$103,122
Intermediate Level Patent Prosecution Associate$103,410
Senior Level Patent Prosecution Associate$106,289
Specialist Level Patent Prosecution Associate$110,486
Expert Level Patent Prosecution Associate$112,164
$103,122 0 yr
$103,410 < 2 yrs
$106,289 2-4 yrs
$110,486 5-8 yrs
$112,164 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Patent Prosecution Associate 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 Prosecution Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $116,886.
  • California: $116,443.
  • Massachusetts: $114,891.

Top Paying Cities for Patent Prosecution Associates

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: $133,154
  • San Francisco: $131,845
  • Oakland: $128,921

What Skills Can Increase a Patent Prosecution Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.9% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Due Diligence (Mentioned in 3.19% Job Postings): Due diligence is the investigation or exercise of care that a reasonable business or person is expected to take before entering into an agreement or contract with another party, or an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations. A common example of due diligence in various industries is the process through which a potential acquirer evaluates a target company or its assets for an acquisition. The theory behind due diligence holds that performing this type of investigation contributes significantly to informed decision making by enhancing the amount and quality of information available to decision makers and by ensuring that this information is systematically used to deliberate in a reflexive manner on the decision at hand and all its costs, benefits, and risks.
  • Immunology (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Immunology is the study of the immune system and is a very important branch of the medical and biological sciences. The immune system protects us from infection through various lines of defence.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.9%
Due Diligence 3.19%
Immunology 2.12%
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 Prosecution Associate's salary.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Development
$118,237
12%
Initiative
$116,126
10%
Dedication
$112,959
7%
Influencing
$110,847
5%
Continuous Learning
$110,847
5%
Biomedical Engineering
$109,792
4%
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How Education impacts a Patent Prosecution Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Patent Prosecution Associates enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Patent Prosecution Associate with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $99,311 and $108,220).

Patent Prosecution Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Patent Prosecution Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 0.4%
Associates 28.7%
Bachelors 21.1%
Masters 28.7%
Doctorate 49.8%
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Patent Prosecution Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Patent Prosecution Associate'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Patent Prosecution Associate

Salaries for a Patent Prosecution Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $147,346 in 2023 to around $143,382 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Patent Prosecution Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Patent Prosecution Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$147,346
2024
$147,772
2025
$143,382
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $147,346
2024 $147,772
2025 $143,382
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Patent Prosecution Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Patent Prosecution Associate

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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.)

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