LegalOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years
Staff / Lead Patent Attorney Salary in New York
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
$457,586/yr
Typical range: $352,459 – $449,500
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
Patent Attorney salary by experience level in New York
Patent Attorney Salary Progression in New York
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 | $156,117 | $13,010 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $209,951 | $17,496 | +34% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $249,429 | $20,786 | +60% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $306,852 | $25,571 | +97% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $457,586 | $38,132 | +193% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $629,853 | $52,488 | +303% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $672,920 | $56,077 | +331% |
Current Salary
$457,586
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $220/hr
Next Level Target
$629,853
Principal · 14
+$172Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
47/100
Below Average
+10% demand · Low AI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead Patent Attorney salary in New York, NY?
Staff / Lead Patent Attorneys in New York, NY earn approximately $458K 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 New York, NY?
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 Patent Attorney in New York, NY?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Patent Attorney in New York, NY earns $352K–$450K/yr.