Home / Federal careers / GS-1220
Patent Administration
Performs patent administration work including patent application processing, examination support, and intellectual property management.
What GS-1220 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-1220, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or technical field
OR
Experience: Experience in patent administration, intellectual property management, or related administrative work.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-1220
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Legalman
Legalmen are trained in legal research and documentation, providing a solid foundation for managing patent records and supporting examinations.
Skills that carry over: Legal Research, Document Management, Communication.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Paralegal
Air Force Paralegals handle legal documentation and compliance, skills that are directly applicable to patent administration tasks.
Skills that carry over: Document Preparation, Compliance Assurance, Administrative Coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Process patent applications
- Support patent examinations
- Manage patent records
- Coordinate with applicants
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Analyze patent data
Key competencies
Patent Processes
Knowledge of patent application and examination procedures.
Intellectual Property
Understanding of IP laws and regulations.
Records Management
Ability to manage patent files and documentation.
Administrative Skills
Skill in coordinating administrative processes.
Communication
Ability to communicate with examiners, attorneys, and applicants.
Policy Application
Skill in applying patent policies and procedures.
Database Management
Proficiency in patent information systems.
Problem Solving
Ability to resolve administrative issues.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-1220
What is a Patent Administration Specialist?
A GS-1220 Patent Administration Specialist works at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) managing the administrative aspects of patent processing. These specialists handle patent application intake, examination support, records management, applicant coordination, regulatory compliance, and data analysis—ensuring smooth patent operations without performing the technical patent examination itself.
How much does a federal Patent Administration Specialist make?
Federal Patent Administration Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $98,422 (GS-12 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-7 through GS-11. A GS-9 Patent Administration Specialist earns $52,205-$67,865, while GS-11 positions pay $63,163-$82,108. USPTO in Alexandria, VA is the primary employer with excellent telework options.
What are the requirements for GS-1220 positions?
GS-1220 follows the two-grade interval administrative standard. Entry at GS-5 requires a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, or equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized experience in patent processing, intellectual property administration, or related administrative work. Strong database management and communication skills are essential competencies.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1220?
Yes, veterans with strong administrative experience qualify. Military experience in records management, application processing, database administration, or coordinating complex workflows translates to patent administration. While patent-specific knowledge helps, the core competencies are administrative skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage high-volume processing operations.
What is the career progression for Patent Administration Specialist?
Patent Administration follows the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-11 or GS-12. Career paths include specializing in specific patent processing areas, transitioning to supervisory roles, or moving into patent policy positions. Some specialists pursue additional education to transition to GS-1224 Patent Examiner roles for higher earning potential.
How do I apply for GS-1220 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Patent Administration" under series 1220. USPTO is essentially the sole employer. Positions offer excellent telework arrangements—many patent administration roles are fully remote eligible. Highlight administrative experience, records management skills, and proficiency with databases and information systems in your federal resume.
Ready to apply for GS-1220?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.