How much does a Patent Attorney make

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  2. Patent Attorney
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Patent Attorney

68 900 kr

Business and corporate lawyers

49 200 - 72 400 kr / month

Women earn 92% of what men do.

Administration, ekonomi

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Patent Attorney

Average salary 68 900 kr
Males 72 200 kr
Females 66 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 29 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Patent Attorney do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Patent Attorney works to protect and defend intellectual property rights, primarily patents. This involves reviewing inventions, assessing novelty, and preparing patent applications for clients across various industries. Common tasks include legal advice on patent law, handling objections and disputes, and negotiations with authorities and opponents. The work is often project-based and requires a combination of legal expertise and technical understanding. The work environment is mainly office-based, with meetings and collaboration with engineers, researchers, and other lawyers.

Salary Development Over Time

Over the past three years, the salary for Patent Attorneys has shown a steady increase. In 2022, the average salary was 63,300 SEK per month, which increased to 66 500 SEK in 2023 and reached 68 900 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 8.8% during the period. The trend reflects a growing demand for specialist competence in intellectual property and complex technical fields, while competition for qualified labor pushes wages upward. Differences between years can also be explained by technological development and the importance of innovation for companies’ competitiveness, making the role of Patent Attorney increasingly central in business.

Patent Attorney Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 68 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 49,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 72,400 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 415 SEK
  • Women earn: 66 700 SEK/month (92% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 72,200 SEK/month

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Patent Attorney, a law degree (4.5 years) is generally required, often supplemented with technical education or experience in science, technology, or engineering. Many employers also seek specialized courses in intellectual property rights and experience in patent work, either from internships or previous employment. Certifications and further training in the field are advantageous and can strengthen competitiveness in the job market.

  • Law degree: 4.5 years at university or college
  • Technical education: Civil or university engineer degree is often advantageous
  • Courses in intellectual property: Specialization in patent and copyright law
  • Internship: Experience from patent agencies, companies, or authorities
  • Certifications: European Patent Attorney (EPC) or similar are valuable

Patent Attorneys often work at the intersection of technology and law, providing opportunities to collaborate with innovators and researchers from many different industries. It requires both an analytical mindset and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Patent Attorneys are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Other common compensations include bonus programs, opportunities for further training, and sometimes additional vacation days. In some cases, private health insurance and options for remote work are included in employment conditions, especially with larger employers.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for positions as a Patent Attorney is relatively high, especially at leading patent firms and larger companies in the tech sector. Since the role requires both deep legal knowledge and technical understanding, it can be challenging to find candidates with the right profile. Ongoing developments in technology and legislation demand continuous education and the ability to quickly adapt to new areas. At the same time, workload can be uneven, with intense periods during major patent applications or disputes. For those seeking advancement, it is important to stay updated and build a broad network of contacts.

Tips for Aspiring Patent Attorneys

To succeed as a Patent Attorney, it is good to combine thoroughness with an interest in technology and innovation. An analytical approach makes it easier to interpret complex patent texts and assess the novelty of inventions. Being communicative is a strength when explaining complex legal issues to clients or partners without a legal background. Initiative is needed to drive cases forward and manage multiple processes simultaneously, while patience helps during lengthy investigations and negotiations. Finally, curiosity and a willingness to learn new things are advantageous, as the field develops rapidly both technically and legally.

Key Facts about Patent Attorneys

  • Education level: Law degree, often supplemented with technical education
  • Work environment: Office-based with collaboration and project work
  • Typical employment: Permanent position, sometimes consultancy assignments
  • Demand: Moderate, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service
  • Special skills: Intellectual property rights and technical understanding

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years as a Patent Attorney, opportunities open for more senior roles, such as Chief Legal Officer, specialist in international patent strategy, or partner at a patent firm. Some choose to further qualify as European Patent Attorneys or move into advisory roles within larger corporations and tech companies. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for business and corporate lawyers, opportunities are considered moderate, with a balanced recruitment situation and unchanged demand over the next five years. Currently, there are 758 available positions nationwide, indicating a stable job market for those with the right skills.

Common Questions about Patent Attorneys

  • What is the average salary of a Patent Attorney?
    - The average salary is 68 900 SEK per month.
  • How large is the salary difference between women and men?
    - Women earn 92% of what men do, with average salaries of 66 700 SEK and 72,200 SEK respectively.
  • What education is required to become a Patent Attorney?
    - A law degree (4.5 years) and often additional technical education or experience in technology.
  • What does the job market look like for Patent Attorneys?
    - Opportunities are considered moderate, and the job market is in balance according to the Swedish Public Employment Service.
  • What are the duties of a Patent Attorney?
    - Tasks include patent applications, legal advice, dispute resolution, and collaboration with technical experts.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Patent Attorney?
    - The highest salary is 72,400 SEK and the lowest is 49,200 SEK per month.
  • What personal qualities are important for Patent Attorneys?
    - Analytical skills, precision, communication ability, and an interest in technology are especially important qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-09 04:16:33

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Patent Attorney is 72400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 67700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Patent Attorney is 49200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 72200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 34200 kr 34500 kr
25-34 96% 52100 kr 52600 kr
35-44 95% 75700 kr 77100 kr
45-54 92% 88000 kr 89900 kr
55-64 78% 79300 kr 81100 kr
Snitt 92% 67800 kr 68900 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Patent Attorney has the SSYK code 2614, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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