How much does a trainee patent attorney earn?

Jul 14, 2022

Written By Helena Kudiabor

If you’re interested in a career as a patent attorney, it’s important to remember that it will take you some time to qualify. However, even while you’re going through the training process, you’ll still have the chance to earn a decent salary, as you’ll discover in this article.

What is a patent attorney?

Patent attorneys look at their client’s new creations or inventions, to determine whether they are eligible for patent protection. A patent provides the inventor of the product with exclusive rights to the product, meaning that they can ban others from making, using or selling similar products for a limited time.

As a patent attorney, you’ll analyse technical documents to work out if an invention is deserving of a patent, apply for patents from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and write detailed descriptions of patents using precise, technical language.

How much does a trainee patent attorney earn?

Starting out as a trainee patent attorney, you’ll typically earn around £35,100 annually. Once you are partly qualified (for instance, you have done over 50% of your training or have passed some of your exams), you can earn up to £40,900.

If you find you don’t like working at the firm you started your training at, moving firms while partly qualified can result in a higher salary. Partly qualified patent attorneys who have switched firms can earn between £38,000-£45,000, as the hiring firm will often offer more enticing salaries to convince you to move.

It’s also important to remember that salaries can vary greatly depending on where you live and what kind of firm you are working for. For example, a trainee in London will earn more than one working in the countryside, due to the high costs of living in the capital. In the same way, you’ll earn more money working in a large, multinational firm as opposed to working in a smaller, high street firm.

How much money will I earn once I’m qualified?

As a newly qualified patent attorney, you’ll earn between £59,000-£67,000. Many firms provide bonuses upon qualification, and higher ones for those who performed especially well in their exams. Two to three years post qualification, you can expect to earn between £69,000-£80,000, rising to £78,000-£100,000 once you’ve been qualified for four to five years. Finally, salaried partners can earn a staggering £115,000-£140,000.

As a trainee patent attorney, you’ll benefit from a strong starting salary, which will rise significantly once you qualify. However, it’s important to remember that salary isn’t everything, and you may find yourself happier somewhere with a lower starting salary. Many firms provide additional benefits such as health insurance and employee wellbeing programmes, so that’s also something to consider.

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