U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / National Aeronautics and Space Administration / Patent Attorney

Job-title file

Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Federal Government

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

20 employees hold this title in National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Median total compensation for the role is $195,720, above the department median of $153,821.

Employees: 20
Total payroll: $3.7M
Role median: $195,720
Agency median: $153,821
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$144,708$210,594+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 20 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Patent Attorney pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. National Aeronautics and Space Administration pays a median base salary of $195,200 for this role, 22% above that figure — about the 64th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where National Aeronautics and Space Administration sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

National Aeronautics and Space Administration median · $195,200

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at National Aeronautics and Space Administration is $195,720, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Patent Attorney is held in 7 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the median of $195,720 ranks #3 of 7.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Commerce

$209,600 · 319

Department of Justice

$197,200 · 22

Department of Interior

$195,200 · 1

Department of Agriculture

$189,518 · 3

Environmental Protection Agency

$185,934 · 1

Department of Energy

$184,852 · 30

Median total compensation for the Patent Attorney role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Accounting 315
Administration and Office Support Student Trainee 15
Administrative Officer 54
Aerospace Engineering 5,032
Aircraft Operation 15
Astronomy and Space Science 364
Auditing 29
Budget Analysis 376
Chemical Engineering 33
Computer Engineering 667
Computer Science 172
Contracting 834
Education Program 14
Electrical Engineering 354
Electronics Engineering 787
Electronics Technical 78
Emergency Management Specialist 19
Engineering and Architecture Student Trainee 575
Engineering Technical 389
Environmental Engineering 34
Environmental Protection Specialist 50
Equal Employment Opportunity 46
Equipment Facilities, and Services 42
Equipment Services 73
Facility Operations Services 59
Financial Administration and Program 335
Financial Management 33
Financial Management Student Trainee 24
General Attorney 141
General Business and Industry 66
General Engineering 3,968
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 50
General Physical Science 541
Human Resources Management 372
Industrial Hygiene 22
Industrial Property Management 19
Information Technology Management 911
Information Technology Student Trainee 19
Logistics Management 101
Management and Program Analysis 1,096
Materials Engineering 315
Mechanical Engineering 135
Medical Officer 40
Meteorology 19
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 1,231
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 62
Oceanography 13
Operations Research 42
Paralegal Specialist 25
Physics 106
Program Management 90
Psychology 17
Public Affairs 219
Quality Assurance 117
Realty 24
Safety and Occupational Health Management 67
Secretary 35
Security Administration 115
Support Services Administration 21

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Trenton Roche

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$217,332

Sub-department: Headquarters, Nasa
Base pay: $217,332
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $217,332
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Joseph

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $217,332
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN10
Basic Pay (before locality): $217,332
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Trenton Roche works as a Patent Attorney for National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. Trenton earned $217,332 in 2026. Their pay grade is 00.

Jerry Seemann

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$199,600

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,600
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work state: Alabama
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN62
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Duty Station State: AL
Length of Service (Years): 38
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Jerry Seemann is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. 2026 total compensation came to $199,600. They are classified at grade 15.

Meredith Blasingame

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$198,700

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,700
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Moffett Field
Work state: California
Middle name: Kate

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,662
Duty Station Code: 062205085
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Meredith Blasingame is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Moffett Field, California. 2026 total compensation came to $198,700. They are classified at grade 15.

Robert Earp

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$198,700

Sub-department: John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,700
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Brook Park
Work state: Ohio
Middle name: Harris

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN22
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 391050035
Duty Station State: OH
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Robert Earp is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Brook Park, Ohio. 2026 total compensation came to $198,700. They are classified at grade 15.

Matthew Johnston

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$198,500

Sub-department: Goddard Space Flight Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,500
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Greenbelt
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: F.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN51
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Matthew Johnston works as a Patent Attorney for National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Greenbelt, Maryland. Matthew earned $198,500 in 2026. Their pay grade is 15.

Heather Parsels

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$198,300

Sub-department: Goddard Space Flight Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,300
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Greenbelt
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: Goo

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN51
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Heather Parsels works as a Patent Attorney for National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Greenbelt, Maryland. Heather earned $198,300 in 2026. Their pay grade is 15.

Rhys Cheung

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$198,100

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $900
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,100
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Moffett Field
Work state: California
Middle name: Winggee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,875
Duty Station Code: 062205085
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Rhys Cheung holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Moffett Field, California. In 2026, their total compensation was $198,100. Their pay grade is 15.

Kurt Hammerle

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Houston
Work state: Texas
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN72
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Kurt Hammerle holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Houston, Texas. In 2026, their total compensation was $197,200. Their pay grade is 15.

Robin Edwards

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$195,890

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $195,190
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,890
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Hampton
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: W.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,190
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN23
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 38
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Robin Edwards serves as a Patent Attorney based in Hampton, Virginia. Their 2026 pay totaled $195,890. They are classified at grade 15.

Robert Padilla

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$195,750

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $550
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,750
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Moffett Field
Work state: California
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,672
Duty Station Code: 062205085
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Robert Padilla holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Moffett Field, California. In 2025, their total compensation was $195,750. Their pay grade is 15.

Maurice Harper

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$195,690

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $195,190
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,690
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Hampton
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: Bruce

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,190
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN23
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Maurice Harper holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Hampton, Virginia. In 2026, their total compensation was $195,690. Their pay grade is 15.

Christopher Edwards

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$195,200

Sub-department: Goddard Space Flight Center
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Greenbelt
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: O.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN51
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,672
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Christopher Edwards serves as a Patent Attorney based in Greenbelt, Maryland. Their 2025 pay totaled $195,200. They are classified at grade 15.

Edward Fein

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$195,200

Sub-department: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Houston
Work state: Texas
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN72
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,672
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 60
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Edward Fein holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Houston, Texas. In 2025, their total compensation was $195,200. Their pay grade is 15.

Joseph Fleishman

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$192,675

Sub-department: Headquarters, Nasa
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $775
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,675
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Morgan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN10
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Joseph Fleishman is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $192,675. They are classified at grade 15.

Mark Homer

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$188,801

Sub-department: John F. Kennedy Space Center
Base pay: $188,101
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $188,801
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kennedy Space Center
Work state: Florida
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $188,101
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN76
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Duty Station Code: 121567009
Duty Station State: FL
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Mark Homer is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $188,801. They are classified at grade 15.

Jennifer Riley

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$168,479

Sub-department: Headquarters, Nasa
Base pay: $168,479
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,479
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Chesapeake
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $168,479
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN10
Basic Pay (before locality): $141,817
Duty Station Code: 510468550
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Jennifer Riley serves as a Patent Attorney based in Chesapeake, Virginia. Their 2025 pay totaled $168,479. They are classified at grade 15.

Derek Langdon

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$167,902

Sub-department: Goddard Space Flight Center
Base pay: $167,902
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,902
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Greenbelt
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: James

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,902
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN51
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,356
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Derek Langdon is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Greenbelt, Maryland. 2026 total compensation came to $167,902. They are classified at grade 14.

Matthew Osenga

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$147,445

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $147,445
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,445
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Hampton
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: Robert

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,445
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN23
Basic Pay (before locality): $124,112
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Matthew Osenga is a Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Hampton, Virginia. 2025 total compensation came to $147,445. They are classified at grade 14.

Mark Wolfgang

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$145,066

Sub-department: John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Base pay: $144,466
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,066
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Brook Park
Work state: Ohio
Middle name: Allen

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,466
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN22
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,192
Duty Station Code: 391050035
Duty Station State: OH
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Mark Wolfgang holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Brook Park, Ohio. In 2026, their total compensation was $145,066. Their pay grade is 14.

Jonathan Leahy

Patent Attorney/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$144,708

Sub-department: John F. Kennedy Space Center
Base pay: $143,608
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,708
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Kennedy Space Center
Work state: Florida
Middle name: James

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $143,608
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN76
Basic Pay (before locality): $121,774
Duty Station Code: 121567009
Duty Station State: FL
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222

Jonathan Leahy holds the role of Patent Attorney at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. In 2026, their total compensation was $144,708. Their pay grade is 14.