David Patterson, a name synonymous with innovation in the tech industry, began his career in the late 1970s at the University of California, Berkeley. Here, he earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science, a degree that would serve as the foundation for his groundbreaking work in the field. His academic pursuits were marked by a deep curiosity and a passion for exploring the intricacies of computer architecture and parallel computing.

Patterson’s rise to fame can be attributed to his pivotal role in the development of the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture. In the early 1980s, while still at Berkeley, he co-designed the RISC I processor with John L. Hennessy. This work laid the groundwork for modern computer design and earned Patterson and Hennessy the prestigious Turing Award in 2017. His contributions to the field continued with the development of the SPARC (Scalable Processor ARChitecture) processor, which became the foundation for Sun Microsystems’ successful line of workstations and servers.

David Patterson’s Current Net Worth (2025)

As of 2025, David Patterson’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. This significant wealth accumulation can be attributed to his successful career in computer science and his entrepreneurial ventures.

Career

David Patterson is a renowned computer scientist, known for his work on RISC processors and reducing instruction set computing. He is a Turing Award laureate and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Patterson’s career spans over four decades, primarily as a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Other Ventures

Patterson has co-founded several tech startups, including Tilera, which focuses on multi-core processors, and SiByte, acquired by Broadcom in 2000. He also serves on the board of several tech companies, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation.

Assets

Patterson’s assets include a significant equity stake in his tech ventures, as well as real estate investments. He owns a home in Berkeley, California, and has invested in properties in the Silicon Valley area. His personal residence is valued at around $3 million.

Annual Income

Patterson’s annual income is primarily derived from his professorship at UC Berkeley, which earns him around $250,000 per year. He also receives income from his board seats and equity in his tech ventures, although the exact figures are not publicly disclosed.

Frequently Asked Questions about  David Patterson

Frequently Asked Questions: David Patterson Net Worth

1. What is David Patterson’s net worth?

David Patterson’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.

2. How did David Patterson make his fortune?

David Patterson made his fortune primarily through his career as a computer scientist, co-inventing the RISC processor and contributing significantly to the field of computer architecture.

3. Is David Patterson a billionaire?

No, David Patterson is not a billionaire. His net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.

4. What is David Patterson’s annual salary?

David Patterson’s annual salary is not publicly disclosed.

5. Where does David Patterson live?

David Patterson lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

6. Is David Patterson married?

Yes, David Patterson is married. He has been married to his wife, Nancy, for over 40 years.

7. Does David Patterson have any children?

Yes, David Patterson has two children.

8. What is David Patterson’s educational background?

David Patterson received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

9. What awards has David Patterson won?

David Patterson has won numerous awards, including the Turing Award, the IEEE John von Neumann Medal, and the IEEE Founders Medal.

10. What is David Patterson’s current role?

David Patterson is a Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Distinguished Engineer at Google.