AI Patent Attorney.
Des Moines.
$158,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$119,000 to $204,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
AI Patent Attorney pay in Des Moines ranges from $119,000 to $204,000 in 2026. The median is $158,000, 15% below the national average. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $142,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$103,000
to $126,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$134,000
to $166,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$174,000
to $205,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$198,000
to $245,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $72,000 to the total package.
Base
$158,000
Equity
$44,000
Bonus
$19,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $230,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$158,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$185,000
Des Moines is $27,000 below
AI Patent Attorney salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
If you are interviewing for AI Patent Attorney roles in Des Moines, here is what you are walking into. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The city's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Compensation reflects the rare combination of patent law expertise and deep AI technical understanding. Attorneys who can prosecute AI/ML patents, navigate inventorship questions for AI-generated inventions, and build patent portfolios for AI companies command premiums. Technical backgrounds in ML or computer science combined with JD/patent bar admission are the highest-value profiles.
Junior AI patent attorneys start at $130,000 to $150,000. Mid-level associates with an AI patent portfolio reach $175,000 to $210,000. Senior associates or of counsel earn $220,000 to $280,000. Partners at IP boutiques or heads of AI patent practices at large firms can earn $350,000 to $600,000+ in total compensation. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Partner-track attorneys at IP firms earn bonuses of 20% to 50% of base. Equity at AI companies adds $20,000 to $80,000 annually for in-house counsel. Billing rates for AI patent specialists range from $400 to $800+ per hour. Some attorneys supplement income with expert witness fees of $500 to $1,000+ per hour. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $158,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers compete with remote offers from larger metros. The range for AI Patent Attorneys in Des Moines runs from $119,000 to $204,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Transformation Lead in Des Moines earns $159,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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