IP salaries remain buoyant despite difficult year: report

Salaries in the IP profession remain healthy following a year that presented many economic challenges to firms due to COVID-19, a report by recruitment agency, Dawn Ellmore Employment, has confirmed.

The research released today, March 15, showed that most positions in the IP sector are being offered with increased starting salaries compared to 2020, across all levels of patent and trademark attorney work.

This includes IP solicitors, technical support staff, paralegals, IP specific support staff and business support staff including accounts and billing, HR and facilities staff.

New entrants into the patent and trademark professions can earn up to £36,000 ($50,000) as a trainee patent attorney and up to £34,000 as a trainee trademark attorney.

The earning potential for IP attorneys and solicitors once qualified remains healthy, with patent attorneys who have gained up to four years’ post-qualification experience earning up to £95,000 as a basic salary, while trademark attorneys at the same level may receive £82,000.

“It is pleasing to see how the IP profession has evolved to cope with the challenges that have been thrown up over the past 12 months, and current indications show that the market will remain strong over the coming months,” said Luke Rehbein, associate director of the patents and trademarks division at Dawn Ellmore.

The salary ranges for support staff, both in IP specific roles and business support functions, have also displayed a steady upwards movement, both in London and for regional positions in the UK.

Records and formalities managers earn up to £95,000 in London and up to £70,000 regionally, while highly experienced legal secretaries can see their experience rewarded with a basic salary of at least £50,000 in London and £40,000 regionally.

In addition to this, many employers are embracing agile working, with many law firms offering the option to work remotely.

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