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The differences between patent agents and housing counselors 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 a housing counselor. Additionally, a housing counselor has an average salary of $78,730, 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 a housing counselor are litigation, in-house counsel, and social work.
| Patent Agent | Housing Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $65,466 | $78,730 |
| Hourly rate | $31.47 | $37.85 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 25,562 | 33,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's 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.
A Housing Counselor works directly with clients and organizations to support moderate and low-income clients in overcoming barriers to housing and financial stability. They represent the homeowner in interventions and/or mediation proceedings with the mortgage servicer, lender, and/or other stakeholders.
Patent agents and housing counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Patent Agent | Housing Counselor | |
| Average salary | $65,466 | $78,730 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $124,000 | Between $42,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Glen Cove, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner | PREIT |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a patent agent and a housing counselor in terms of educational background:
| Patent Agent | Housing Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between patent agents' and housing counselors' demographics:
| Patent Agent | Housing Counselor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5% | Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8% |
| 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, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |