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Patent drafter vs patent agent

The differences between patent drafters and patent agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a patent drafter, becoming a patent agent takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a patent agent has an average salary of $65,466, which is higher than the $55,801 average annual salary of a patent drafter.

Patent drafter vs patent agent overview

Patent DrafterPatent Agent
Yearly salary$55,801$65,466
Hourly rate$26.83$31.47
Growth rate-3%10%
Number of jobs2,33525,562
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4546
Years of experience124

Patent drafter vs patent agent salary

Patent drafters and patent agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Patent DrafterPatent Agent
Average salary$55,801$65,466
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $78,000Between $34,000 And $124,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between patent drafter and patent agent education

There are a few differences between a patent drafter and a patent agent in terms of educational background:

Patent DrafterPatent Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignChemistry
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityStanford University

Patent drafter vs patent agent demographics

Here are the differences between patent drafters' and patent agents' demographics:

Patent DrafterPatent Agent
Average age4546
Gender ratioMale, 100.0% Female, 0.0%Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage6%10%

Differences between patent drafter and patent agent duties and responsibilities

Patent drafter example responsibilities.

  • Complete dimensional documentation, BOM, structural frame welding and assembly documentation.
  • Update stock plans as necessary according to AMDA standards.

Patent agent example responsibilities.

  • Advise client in requirements to achieve and maintain critical FCPA compliance.
  • Represent local and multi-national clients before the USPTO and US/RO of WIPO.
  • Conduct detailed interactions with the USPTO regarding patent prosecution.
  • Formulate objections under 35 USC regulations.
  • Assist with patent appeals, interferences, and opposition proceedings.
  • Prepare non- final rejection under 35 USC 102/103 base on reference from the prior art.
  • Show more

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