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The differences between patent agents and software engineers 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 software engineer. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, 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 software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Patent Agent | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $65,466 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $31.47 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 25,562 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| 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 software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Patent agents and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Patent Agent | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $65,466 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $124,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a patent agent and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Patent Agent | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between patent agents' and software engineers' demographics:
| Patent Agent | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |