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Patent Prosecution Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Patent Prosecution Attorney

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$285K/yr

... patent prosecution and PTAB matters Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance Virtual healthcare services Wellness program and on-site wellness center 401(k) retirement savings plan Firm ...

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$43.5K

$112.7K

$271K

How much do patent prosecution jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent prosecution in the United States is $112,725.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is patent prosecution?

Patent prosecution is the process of interacting with a patent office to obtain patents and protect inventions. It involves preparing, filing, and negotiating patent applications, responding to office actions, and ensuring that an invention meets all legal requirements for patentability. Patent prosecution does not refer to legal action against infringement, but rather to the administrative process of securing a patent. Professionals working in this area, such as patent attorneys and agents, help inventors navigate complex regulations and communicate with patent examiners. Their goal is to maximize the likelihood of a patent being granted while protecting the intellectual property rights of their clients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in patent prosecution?

To thrive in Patent Prosecution, you need a solid understanding of intellectual property law, strong analytical skills, and typically a degree in science or engineering along with admission to a bar, such as the USPTO. Familiarity with patent management systems, legal research tools, and document drafting software is essential. Exceptional written communication, attention to detail, and client management abilities help professionals stand out in this field. These competencies are crucial for effectively securing intellectual property rights and ensuring clients' inventions are well-protected in a competitive market.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in patent prosecution, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in patent prosecution often face challenges such as navigating complex and evolving patent laws, managing tight deadlines for filings, and communicating technical concepts clearly to both clients and patent examiners. Additionally, balancing multiple cases simultaneously while ensuring high-quality work can be demanding. These challenges can be managed by staying up-to-date with legal changes through continuous education, developing strong organizational and time-management skills, and fostering clear communication with inventors, colleagues, and examiners.

What is the difference between Patent Prosecution vs Patent Litigation?

AspectPatent ProsecutionPatent Litigation
Primary FocusSecuring patent rights through application processEnforcing or defending patent rights in court
Work EnvironmentPatent offices, law firms, corporate legal departmentsCourts, legal proceedings, courtroom settings
Required CredentialsPatent bar, technical degree, law degree often preferredLaw degree, bar admission, technical background helpful
Industry UsageCommon in patent law firms, R&D companiesCommon in law firms, corporate legal teams, courts

Patent prosecution involves preparing and filing patent applications to secure patent rights, focusing on the application process. Patent litigation, on the other hand, involves legal disputes over patent infringement or validity in court. Both roles require legal expertise and technical knowledge, but they serve different stages of patent law and involve distinct work environments.

What does a patent prosecution do?

A patent prosecution professional manages the process of obtaining a patent from the patent office, including preparing and submitting patent applications, responding to office actions, and communicating with patent examiners. They ensure that the application meets legal and technical requirements to secure patent rights for inventors or companies.
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Patent Prosecution jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patent Prosecution job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 69% Physical, 10% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,725 per year, or $54.2 per hour.

Patent Prosecution Attorney

North Star Staffing Solutions

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Our staffing solutions connect skilled candidates with the best companies in the area. We take pride in understanding a candidate's skill set, experience and needs and then pairing them up with the right organization. We conduct thorough interviews, reference and background checks, and we verify previous work history of all our candidates before we place them. As one of the premier Staffing agencies in Colorado, we help job seekers find positions in various fields of work at the best organizations in Colorado. Not only do we provide you with job opportunities, we also offer ongoing training and courses that will help you improve your skills and work.

Job Description

An Intellectual Property firm in northern CA is looking for a patent attorney for patent prosecution work. 
Patent/IP Law 
2+ years of prosecution experience as a patent attorney 
JD from a top 100 law school 
CS, CE, or EE background required 
Passed the CA bar 
Passed the Patent bar 
Ties to CA are a plus 
The firm is looking for the best quality and the brightest patent attorneys to draft and prosecute patent applications. The firm is highly focused on computer-related technologies. Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications as a patent attorney; a background in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering; and excellent writing and communication skills. Only candidates with CS, CE, or EE background will be considered. 
Candidates will be required to provide (1) undergraduate transcripts, (2) law school transcriptions, and (3) a patent application and office action response that are drafted solely by the candidate.

Qualifications


2+ years of prosecution experience as a patent attorney 
JD from a top 100 law school 
CS, CE, or EE background required 
Passed the CA bar 
Passed the Patent bar 
Ties to CA are a plus 

Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Apply