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The differences between patent attorneys 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 attorney and an attorney. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $86,919 average annual salary of a patent attorney.
The top three skills for a patent attorney include electrical engineering, USPTO and law firm. The most important skills for an attorney are litigation, legal research, and law firm.
| Patent Attorney | Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $86,919 | $109,476 |
| Hourly rate | $41.79 | $52.63 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 7,889 | 10,991 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A patent attorney is an intellectual property expert whose responsibilities revolve around assisting and representing clients on patent application procedures. A patent attorney must meet with clients to identify their needs, provide advice when it comes to trademarks and trade secrets, discuss and interpret complex subjects such as regulations and laws, and secure rights and properties. Furthermore, as a patent attorney, it is essential to review and negotiate contracts and proposals to avoid disputes in the future.
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 attorneys and attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Patent Attorney | Attorney | |
| Average salary | $86,919 | $109,476 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $152,000 | Between $69,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | Goodwin | Thompson Coburn |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a patent attorney and an attorney in terms of educational background:
| Patent Attorney | Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between patent attorneys' and attorneys' demographics:
| Patent Attorney | Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 75.3% 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% |