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The differences between patent agents and attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a patent agent and an attorney. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $65,466 average annual salary of a patent agent.
The top three skills for a patent agent include intellectual property, patent prosecution and law firm. The most important skills for an attorney are litigation, legal research, and law firm.
| Patent Agent | Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $65,466 | $109,476 |
| Hourly rate | $31.47 | $52.63 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 25,562 | 10,991 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A patent agent is responsible for monitoring the intellectual property rights of an existing patent invention and ensuring that new applications would not coincide with any registered patent. Patent agents handle the application processes and document verification for individuals or the government. They conduct in-depth research and discuss the process with the investors and inform them of any restrictions on issuance. A patent agent must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in performing duties and resolving issues timely and efficiently.
Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.
Patent agents and attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Patent Agent | Attorney | |
| Average salary | $65,466 | $109,476 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $124,000 | Between $69,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner | Thompson Coburn |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a patent agent and an attorney in terms of educational background:
| Patent Agent | Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between patent agents' and attorneys' demographics:
| Patent Agent | Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |