Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[dips009]

Hi All,

I have a dilemma. I have been working in IT for the past 12 years, have a undergrad in Comp. Sci and make around $130k/yr.

I have always been interested in law and am considering IP. Now, would it be financially worth it to become an Patent Agent? What is the earnings potential of an agent?

If becoming a Agent provides me a max income of $150-160k, it may not be worth it.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Wiscagent]

$150k/yr would be an exceptionally high income for a patent agent, especially if you were working for a law firm. 
Most patent attorneys don't net that much for their first several years in practice.

[blakesq]

i have to agree with Wiscagent.  If you are making $130k now, you are probably going to take a big pay cut to become a patent agent, and are very likely to never make as much as $130K again. 

[OMG IP]

It's really an economics matter.

YOu might be worth $150K+, but there are dime a dozen agents who can probably do similar job and will cut less into a partner's cut of the pie.

Unless you bring something else to the table (i.e., portable book), I don't see this working out for you (given the salary you'd prefer).

[virus_guy]

When I worked in a firm (medium-size) awhile back, patent agents made about $90K. I was chatting with a recruiter for a DC firm maybe a couple months ago about a position for a patent agent with a PhD and 2 or more years experience that offered around $100K. I feel that $150-$160 is bit of an unreasonable expectation for a patent agent considering that some patent attorneys make less than that.

[klaviernista]

I would wager that most patent attorneys (at least, most that work in smaller firms), make less than $150k.  As others have mentioned, most patent agents earn ~100k or less.

Regardless, if the only reason you would pursue a career in law is earning potential, I would encourage you to look elsewhere.  There are easier ways to make money. 

[plex]

It would take a miracle for you to earn more switching to being a patent agent over the entire course of your remaining career, much more likely, you would fall far short of the earnings your current job provides.

[cheesepep]

Well, to be fair, some of the numbers quoted for partners may be far off.  If you get into a big law firm where newbie attorneys start at 160K, and partners are making 300K+, then a patent agent will make about half that.

So a newbie patent agent can expect to make 80K and top out at 150K, and maybe a little more depending on expectations and bonuses.

[Wiscagent]

One more thing, if a patent practitioner has the right combination of skills and personality, and works hard and hustles; that attorney or agent can attract and build a lucrative business.  Some good luck and connections doesn't hurt either.

If you are really that guy or gal, then you would not remain an associate in a law firm for very long.  You'd either quickly become a partner or owner, or just start your own shop.  Of course if you have all those great entrepreneurial skills, you'd probably make a lot of money whether you were operating an engineering firm, a plumbing supply store, or a saloon.

So while the earnings figures discussed in this thread are probably mostly correct, if you are truly exceptional, then you may earn an exceptional income in whatever field you pursue.