LegalOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Intellectual Property Attorney Salary in Los Angeles

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$458,097/yr

Typical range: $352,854 $450,003

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Intellectual Property Attorney Salary Progression in Los Angeles

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$156,292$13,024
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$210,186$17,516+34%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$249,708$20,809+60%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$307,195$25,600+97%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$458,097$38,175+193%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$630,557$52,546+303%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$673,673$56,139+331%
Current Salary
$458,097
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $220/hr
Next Level Target
$630,557
Principal · 14
+$172Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
46/100
Below Average
+10% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Intellectual Property Attorney salary in Los Angeles, CA?

Staff / Lead Intellectual Property Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA earn approximately $458K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Intellectual Property Attorney make per hour in Los Angeles, CA?

Based on $458K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $220/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Intellectual Property Attorney in Los Angeles, CA?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Intellectual Property Attorney in Los Angeles, CA earns $353K–$450K/yr.