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Design Patent Examiner
Federal patent examiner position reviewing ornamental design patent applications, determining patentability, and issuing design patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
What GS-1226 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 |
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-1226, as written.
Degree: industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts, or art teacher education.
or
Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in one of the above disciplines, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 20 semester hours in industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts, or art teacher education, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
or
Four years of experience in the field of industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts, or art teacher education that demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the field involved in the position to be filled equivalent to that which would have been obtained through successful completion of a full 4-year degree as shown in A above.
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-1226
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
Imagery Analysis Specialist
Imagery Analysis Specialists have strong skills in visual assessment and analysis, which are crucial for evaluating design patents.
Skills that carry over: Visual Assessment, Design Analysis, Prior Art Searching.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
CTIs often work with visual data and require strong analytical skills, which are applicable to examining design patents.
Skills that carry over: Visual Assessment, Prior Art Searching, Drawing Interpretation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Geospatial Engineer
Geospatial Engineers use mapping and visualization skills that can be adapted to the analysis of design patents.
Skills that carry over: Design Analysis, Visual Assessment, Drawing Interpretation.
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 design patent applications
- Assess ornamental design features
- Search design prior art
- Determine design patentability
- Write office actions
- Apply design patent law
Key competencies
Design Analysis
Ability to analyze ornamental design features.
Prior Art Searching
Skill in searching design patent databases.
Visual Assessment
Strong ability to evaluate visual similarities and differences.
Patent Law
Knowledge of design patent law and examination procedures.
Drawing Interpretation
Ability to interpret design drawings and renderings.
Written Communication
Skill in writing office actions on design patents.
Artistic Understanding
Background in industrial design or visual arts.
Decision Making
Ability to determine design novelty and non-obviousness.
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-1226
What is a Design Patent Examiner?
A GS-1226 Design Patent Examiner at the USPTO evaluates ornamental design patent applications—the visual appearance of products rather than their function. These examiners assess design features, search prior art databases for similar designs, determine novelty and non-obviousness of ornamental designs, write office actions, and decide whether to grant design patents that protect product aesthetics.
How much does a federal Design Patent Examiner make?
Federal Design Patent Examiners earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Entry-level examiners start at GS-7 or GS-9. Journey-level Design Examiners at GS-12/13 earn $75,706-$117,034. USPTO offers excellent telework options, with many examiners working fully remote after initial training.
What are the requirements for GS-1226 positions?
Design Patent Examiners require a degree in industrial design, product design, architecture, graphic design, applied arts, fine/studio arts, or art teacher education. Alternatively, 20 semester hours in these fields plus related experience qualifies. Strong visual assessment abilities and knowledge of design patent law are essential for evaluating ornamental design novelty.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1226?
Military experience alone cannot substitute for the required design/art education. However, veterans with industrial design or graphic arts degrees—common among those who used GI Bill benefits—are excellent candidates. Military experience in visual communications, graphic design for public affairs, or technical illustration complements the required education.
What is the career progression for Design Patent Examiner?
Design Patent Examiners follow the GS-7/9/11/12/13/14 progression. USPTO has one of the fastest promotion tracks in government. Primary Examiners with signatory authority typically reach GS-14. Career paths include supervisory roles, patent policy positions, or transitioning to private sector design IP work at corporations or law firms.
How do I apply for GS-1226 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Design Patent Examiner" under series 1226. USPTO is the sole employer. Positions require a portfolio or evidence of design education. Highlight your design training, visual analysis skills, and any experience evaluating aesthetic similarities. USPTO values veterans and offers competitive hiring through veteran authorities.
Ready to apply for GS-1226?
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.