Patent Agents Job Description, Duties & Salary

Employment Prospects

Employers

Patent agents work for the intellectual property departments of law firms, the research and development groups within corporations, the legal department of a technology start-up company, or research universities. Some are self-employed and work for private-sector clients. There were 12,343 active patent agents employed in the United States in 2020, as reported by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Starting Out

Patent agents may get their start in the field by working as an intern in the intellectual property department of a law firm or the legal department of a corporation. The USPTO has a student internship and volunteer program, which gives patent students opportunities to get a foot in the door and learn more about the different specializations available for patent agents. Some patent agents may start as assistant patent agents or gain exposure to the work through paralegal work in law firms.

Related Professions