Career Definition of an Intellectual Property Analyst
Before legal protections can be put in place for things such as inventions there are a lot of steps that must be taken, and many of these involve the work of an intellectual property (IP) analyst. Intellectual property analysts spend a lot of time doing research. When a client hires them they may have a number of objectives. They may want to have a specific project evaluated to determine if patents for comparable products exist. The information that an intellectual property analyst provides about comparable patents or products can help clients make decisions about whether or not to modify a product or abandon development.
In some cases, intellectual property analysts may recommend a different form of legal protection, such as a license. By evaluating the competition for a specific project, intellectual property analysts can help companies make financial decisions. They recommend projects to invest in and they may also identify opportunities to save research money by purchasing an existing similar patent. When appropriate, they may be able to identify opportunities for companies to sell patents. In order to effectively advise their clients they need to be able to complete comprehensive research related to their clients' projects and they must be capable of effectively evaluating that information.
| Educational Requirements | Bachelor's degree |
| Job Skills | Customer service skills, communication skills, analytical skills, decision-making skills, investigative skills |
| Median Salary (2022)* | $70,000 |
| Job Outlook (2020-2030)** | 22% (market research analysts) |
Sources: *PayScale; **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
In order to pursue a career as an intellectual property analyst it's necessary to earn a bachelor's degree. The field of study largely depends on the field in which the (IP) analyst works. Those working in technology would benefit from a degree in engineering, while those working in pharmaceuticals would benefit from a degree in medicine/science. In some cases legal studies may benefit those who are pursuing this type of work. All IP analysts must be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Required Skills
Intellectual property analysts work for clients so they must have good customer service skills. They also need communication skills in order to be able to effectively present their conclusions to clients. They use research skills to gather the information they need to inform their decisions and they must have strong analytical skills to comprehensively evaluate this data. Decision-making skills are needed to produce recommendations for their clients.
Career Outlook and Salary
PayScale reported a median annual income of $70,000 for intellectual property analysts in 2021. Intellectual property analysts perform many tasks that are similar to the duties of market research analysts. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this occupational field to see a 22% rate of job growth from 2020-2030.
Related Careers
Since intellectual property analysts help clients make decisions about securing patents or investing in new products, those considering this career field may also be interested in other roles that involve advising investors or securing patents. Links to information about some similar careers can be found here.
