Home / Federal careers / GS-1224
Patent Examiner
Performs professional patent examination work including reviewing applications and determining patentability.
What GS-1224 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-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 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
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-1224, as written.
Applicants for positions in this series must meet the basic requirements for the scientific, technological, or engineering occupational series related to the area for which they are examining patents. Those requirements are described in the individual occupational requirements for the particular series, e.g., Chemistry, GS-1320; Food Technology, GS-1382; etc.
Evaluation of Graduate Education: Qualifying graduate education must have been in a field appropriate to the position to be filled. An LL.B. or J.D. degree from a recognized law school or membership in the bar of any State, territory, or the District of Columbia is also qualifying for GS-9.
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-1224
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
Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
CTIs have experience in interpreting complex information and languages, which can be useful for understanding technical patent documents.
Skills that carry over: Interpretation, Attention to Detail, Technical Analysis, Research.
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
- Examine patent applications
- Determine patentability
- Search prior art
- Write office actions
- Conduct interviews with applicants
- Apply patent law
Key competencies
Patent Examination
Ability to examine patent applications for compliance.
Prior Art Analysis
Skill in searching and analyzing prior art references.
Technical Expertise
Deep knowledge in specific technology areas.
Legal Application
Understanding of patent law and examination guidelines.
Claim Analysis
Ability to interpret and analyze patent claims.
Written Communication
Skill in writing clear office actions and decisions.
Decision Making
Ability to make sound patentability determinations.
Negotiation
Skill in discussing applications with patent practitioners.
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-1224
What is a Patent Examiner?
A GS-1224 Patent Examiner is a professional who reviews patent applications at the USPTO to determine if inventions meet legal requirements for patentability. These specialists search prior art, analyze patent claims, apply patent law, write office actions, conduct applicant interviews, and make binding decisions on whether to grant patents—directly shaping innovation protection in America.
How much does a federal Patent Examiner make?
Federal Patent Examiners earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $162,672 (GS-15 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Entry-level examiners start at GS-7 or GS-9. Journey-level examiners reach GS-12/13 earning $75,706-$117,034. Senior Primary Examiners at GS-14/15 earn $106,382-$162,672. USPTO also offers locality pay and excellent telework, with many examiners working fully remote.
What are the requirements for GS-1224 positions?
Patent Examiners must meet educational requirements for related scientific/engineering series—typically a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, chemistry, biology, or physics. GS-9 also accepts an LL.B./J.D. or bar membership. You need technical expertise in a specific technology area plus the analytical ability to interpret complex patent claims and apply legal standards.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1224?
Unlike most federal positions, Patent Examiner specifically requires technical/scientific education that military experience alone cannot substitute. However, veterans with engineering degrees (common in military officer programs and veterans using GI Bill) plus technical military experience are highly competitive candidates. Your military analytical and technical documentation skills strengthen applications.
What is the career progression for Patent Examiner?
Patent Examiners start at GS-7 or GS-9 and can advance rapidly—USPTO has one of the fastest promotion tracks in government. The progression runs GS-7/9/11/12/13/14/15. Primary Examiners (signatory authority) typically reach GS-14. Supervisory Patent Examiners reach GS-15. Many examiners spend entire careers at USPTO; others transition to patent law, corporate IP, or technology companies.
How do I apply for GS-1224 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Patent Examiner" under series 1224. USPTO actively recruits in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, and chemistry. Most positions allow full-time telework after initial training. Highlight your technical degree, relevant technical experience, and analytical skills. USPTO values veterans and offers competitive hiring through VRA and other veteran authorities.
Ready to apply for GS-1224?
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.