Staff / Lead Intellectual Property Attorney Salary in San Francisco
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
Typical range: $434,340 – $553,924
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
Intellectual Property Attorney salary by experience level in San Francisco
Intellectual Property Attorney Salary Progression in San Francisco
From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data
| Experience Level | Years | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | vs Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 yrs | 0 yrs | $192,385 | $16,032 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $258,725 | $21,560 | +34% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $307,374 | $25,615 | +60% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $378,137 | $31,511 | +97% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $563,888 | $46,991 | +193% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $776,176 | $64,681 | +303% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $829,248 | $69,104 | +331% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead Intellectual Property Attorney salary in San Francisco, CA?
Staff / Lead Intellectual Property Attorneys in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $564K 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 San Francisco, CA?
Based on $564K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $271/hr (2,080-hour work year).
How do I get from staff / lead to senior Intellectual Property Attorney in San Francisco, CA?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Intellectual Property Attorney in San Francisco, CA earns $434K–$554K/yr.