Patent examiner salary (2026)
Answer in brief
USPTO patent examiners earn $55,330 to $197,200 in 2026 under OPM special rate Table 0576. It is the only fully published pay table in patent practice, so it is the best public benchmark for a technical patent career.
2026 special rate table
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $55,330 | $71,930 |
| GS-7 | $68,539 | $89,102 |
| GS-9 | $80,145 | $104,194 |
| GS-11 | $93,779 | $121,919 |
| GS-12 | $107,813 | $140,160 |
| GS-13 | $131,841 | $171,396 |
| GS-14 | $155,797 | $197,200 |
| GS-15 | $183,257 | $197,200 |
2026 annual special rates for USPTO patent series 1220–1226, OPM Table 0576. GS-14 and GS-15 are capped at $197,200 (Executive Schedule Level IV).
Why examiners matter to agent pay
Examining is a common route into private practice: examiners learn prosecution from the USPTO side, and many later register and work as patent agents. Examiners can apply for registration without sitting the exam under conditions the USPTO sets; check the USPTO's practitioner pages for the current rule.
Questions & answers
How much do patent examiners make?
Sources for this entry
- OPM 2026 special rates, Table 0576 (USPTO patent examiners and patent attorneys) U.S. Office of Personnel Management
2026 annual pay for USPTO series 1220–1226 (incl. 1222 Patent Attorney, 1224 Patent Examiner): GS-5 step 1 $55,330 to GS-14/15 cap $197,200. - USPTO — Becoming a patent practitioner (General Requirements Bulletin) USPTO
The USPTO's authoritative source for eligibility categories, documents and filing.
Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.
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Patent Agent Salary. “Patent examiner salary (2026).” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://patentagentsalary.com/patent-examiner-salary/