Home > Salary > South Africa > Patent Examiner
A patent examiner is a professional responsible for evaluating and granting patents. They work in government agencies or patent offices, reviewing patent applications to determine if they meet the legal requirements for granting exclusive rights over an invention. Their primary duties include conducting thorough research to assess the novelty and non-obviousness of an invention, analyzing prior art (existing knowledge in the field), and examining claims made by inventors. Patent examiners also communicate with inventors or their representatives to clarify any issues or request additional information.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 245,043 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,712 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 118 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,707 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,548 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 114 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,199 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,017 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 235 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 245,043 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,712 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 118 ZAR per hour
By working as Patent Examiner a person can save up to 745 USD per month or 8,945 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Patent Examiner
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Patent Examiner salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Patent Examiner in South Africa is approximately 245,043 ZAR (12,199 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Patent Examiner do?

Skills: Patent Examiner, Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Research, Prior Art Analysis, Legal Compliance
Job industry: Legal
Job industry: Legal
How much does Patent Examiner make?
Salary details
How much does Patent Examiner make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 245,043 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,712 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 118 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 236,480 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 19,707 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,548 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 114 ZAR per hour
Patent Examiner estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,199 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,017 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 235 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Patent Examiner job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Patent Examiner in South Africa earns on average:
1.93 times the average salary (or 193% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Patent Examiner job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Patent Examiner in South Africa earns on average:
1.93 times the average salary (or 193% of average salary).
Is Patent Examiner a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Patent Examiner is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Patent Examiner?
High salary for Patent Examiner would be somewhere between 269,547 ZAR and 355,312 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Patent Examiner in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 245,043 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,712 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 118 ZAR per hour
By working as Patent Examiner a person can save up to 745 USD per month or 8,945 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Patent Examiner
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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