GS-1224 Patent Examining — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Patent Examiner — GS-1224. The verified average salary for GS-1224 Patent Examinings is $156,498/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 8,864 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 8,864 • Redaction rate: 4.9%
GS-1224 Patent Examining — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-1224 Patent Examining series showed 8,864 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $156,498/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
Salary = base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. REDACTED records (OPM data release policy) are excluded from averages. Pay plan: General Schedule (GS). View occupation salary detail on OPM FedScope →
GS-1224 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $156,498 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 8,864 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 8,864 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 4.9% | OPM redacts salary records for privacy-sensitive positions (DoD, law enforcement, intelligence). FedTools suppresses series averages when redaction exceeds 20%. |
| Pay plan(s) | General Schedule (GS) | Primary pay plan(s) used for this occupational series in the federal government. |
| Typical grades | GS-7 to GS-15 | Most common grade range for this series. Actual assignment depends on the position description and agency. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x base pay = locality supplement. Included in the average salary above. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. Title 38 and special pay plans may exceed this cap. |
Top Agencies Employing GS-1224 Patent Examinings
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO / Commerce)
Key Duties — GS-1224 Patent Examining
Representative duties for the 1224 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Review patent applications for novelty, usefulness, and non-obviousness
- →Search prior art in scientific literature and patent databases
- →Issue office actions and conduct interviews with patent attorneys
- →Classify inventions by technology area (biotechnology, software, electrical, mechanical)
- →Final allowance or rejection decisions on patent claims
About the GS-1224 Patent Examining Series
Patent Examiners work almost exclusively at the USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia. The $156,498 average reflects the high-grade, STEM-credentialed workforce: all examiners hold at minimum a bachelor's degree in a technical field, and many hold advanced degrees. Examiners start at GS-7 and can advance to GS-15 through production-based promotions. The USPTO also offers telework and hoteling arrangements, making it a top federal employer for STEM professionals. Average is above the GS pay cap of $197,200 in top localities (San Jose, San Francisco) for GS-15 examiners; most fall in the $120K–$180K range at the Alexandria locality rate.
Calculate Your Exact GS-1224 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-1224 Patent Examining — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-1224 Patent Examining?
The verified average salary for the GS-1224 Patent Examining series is $156,498 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (8,864 non-redacted records; 4.9% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 1224 series?
The GS-1224 Patent Examining series typically spans GS-7 to GS-15. Actual grade assignment depends on the position description, agency, and your qualifications. Use our GS Pay Calculator to look up the exact salary for any grade, step, and locality.
Which agencies employ GS-1224 Patent Examinings?
The largest federal employers of GS-1224 Patent Examinings include: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO / Commerce). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-1224 positions?
Federal civilian pay for GS positions = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). The GS table has 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15) and 10 steps per grade. Locality adjustments range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose–San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant result.
Do GS-1224 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-1224 positions qualify for the full federal benefits package: FERS pension (1–1.1% × High-3 Salary × Years of Service), TSP with up to 5% agency match, FEHB health insurance (government pays ~70% of premium), FEGLI life insurance, and FEDVIP dental/vision. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
Other Federal Job Series Pay Pages
Salary data and workforce details for every GS occupational series in our database.
Data Accuracy Notice (YMYL): Salary figures are from the OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026). The annualized_adjusted_basic_pay field captures base pay + locality pay under all pay plans (GS, Title 38, special rates). REDACTED records are excluded per OPM data release policy. FedTools publishes series-specific averages only when the non-redacted sample is representative (redaction ≤ 20%, n ≥ 50). This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.