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The differences between patent analysts and patent agents 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 a patent agent. Additionally, a patent analyst has an average salary of $77,926, which is higher than the $65,466 average annual salary of a patent agent.
The top three skills for a patent analyst include search reports, technical aspects and medical devices. The most important skills for a patent agent are intellectual property, patent prosecution, and law firm.
| Patent Analyst | Patent Agent | |
| Yearly salary | $77,926 | $65,466 |
| Hourly rate | $37.46 | $31.47 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 328 | 25,562 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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.
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.
Patent analysts and patent agents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Patent Analyst | Patent Agent | |
| Average salary | $77,926 | $65,466 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $129,000 | Between $34,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | Morrison & Foerster | Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a patent analyst and a patent agent in terms of educational background:
| Patent Analyst | Patent Agent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between patent analysts' and patent agents' demographics:
| Patent Analyst | Patent Agent | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% | Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5% |
| 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, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |