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The differences between patent analysts and associate 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 analyst and an associate attorney. Additionally, an associate attorney has an average salary of $110,053, which is higher than the $77,926 average annual salary of a patent analyst.
The top three skills for a patent analyst include search reports, technical aspects and medical devices. The most important skills for an associate attorney are litigation, law firm, and discovery responses.
| Patent Analyst | Associate Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $77,926 | $110,053 |
| Hourly rate | $37.46 | $52.91 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 328 | 9,183 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Doctoral Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Being a patent analyst involves comparing products that are already in the market to new inventions and innovations. You will be responsible for ensuring and upholding government assurance of the originality and ownership of an invention. Patent analysis involves the examination of every aspect of an invention, including the blueprints, the pieces, the assembly, the raw material used, and etc. The role requires the evaluation of uses and specifications of an invention, classification, and then a written report based on the analysis.
An associate attorney's role is to provide legal counseling to an individual or business entity, resolve legal disputes through crafting agreements and negotiating contract terms, and serving as an advisor or advocate. Most associate attorneys work at law firms or government agencies, supervised by more experienced personnel. Among the duties of an associate attorney includes conducting extensive research on every case, presenting factual evidence and statements, producing the legal and necessary documentation, and representing clients in formal settings.
Patent analysts and associate attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Patent Analyst | Associate Attorney | |
| Average salary | $77,926 | $110,053 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $129,000 | Between $70,000 And $170,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Morrison & Foerster | Schiff Hardin |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a patent analyst and an associate attorney in terms of educational background:
| Patent Analyst | Associate Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Doctoral Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between patent analysts' and associate attorneys' demographics:
| Patent Analyst | Associate Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% | Male, 57.1% Female, 42.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |