LegalOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Patent Attorney Salary in Dallas

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

$326,664/yr

Typical range: $251,616 $320,891

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Patent Attorney Salary Progression in Dallas

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

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$111,450$9,288
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$149,881$12,490+34%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$178,064$14,839+60%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$219,057$18,255+97%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$326,664$27,222+193%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$449,643$37,470+303%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$480,388$40,032+331%
Current Salary
$326,664
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $157/hr
Next Level Target
$449,643
Principal · 14
+$123Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
47/100
Below Average
+10% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Patent Attorney salary in Dallas, TX?

Staff / Lead Patent Attorneys in Dallas, TX earn approximately $327K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Patent Attorney make per hour in Dallas, TX?

Based on $327K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $157/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Patent Attorney in Dallas, TX?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Patent Attorney in Dallas, TX earns $252K–$321K/yr.