Salaries are on the rise in 2019, particularly for Trade Mark Attorneys, Intellectual Property Solicitors and qualified Patent Attorneys. That’s according to our Salary Survey 2019.

Every year, we report on the salaries and benefits in the UK intellectual property and legal sectors. This year’s survey provides insight into the sector for people looking to launch their careers or make a move into a new position.

It’s always useful to keep track of salary ranges, average increases and the benefits you can expect in this sector, and our regular pulse check helps you do exactly that.

Dawn Ellmore Employment’s Salary Survey – Key Insights

Key findings from this year’s report show that qualified Patent Attorneys with four years’ experience can earn around £9,000 more than last year’s top end.

For Partners and Director level patent roles the increase is significant, and for Trade Mark Attorneys at this level the increase is expected to be at least £3,500. Qualified Trade Mark Attorneys with four years’ experience can expect to earn up to £5,000 more.

Below are the Patent Attorney salary ranges for 2019. In brackets are 2018’s salaries for comparison.

  • Partner level / Director / Head of Patents – £98,000+ (£90,000+).
  • Qualified CPA or EPA with 5+ years’ PQE – £85,000+ (£84,000+)
  • Qualified CPA or EPA with 1-4 years’ PQE – £60,000 to 93,000 (£63,000 – £84,000).
  • Newly qualified CPA or EPA – £55,000 to £65,000 (£55,000 – £63,000).
  • Technical Assistant finals standard – £40,000 to £53,000 (£40,000 – £52,000).
  • Technical Assistant with foundation exams – £35,000 to £45,000 (£35,000 – £45,000).
  • Technical Assistant without foundation exams – £30,000 to £40,000 (£29,000 – £34,000).
  • Trainee Patent Attorney – £27,000 to £35,000 (£26,000 – £34,000).

The higher increases are being found at the top level, with Partner level Patent Attorneys salaries rising by £8,000. However, most positions are looking at higher ranges for 2019.

Salary ranges for Trade Mark Attorneys

  • Partner level/Director/Head of Trade Marks – £93,500+ (£90,000+).
  • Qualified Trade Mark Attorney with 5+ years’ PQE – £77,500+ (£75,000+).
  • Qualified Trade Mark Attorney with 1-4 years’ PQE – £52,000 to £78,000 (£55,000 – £73,000).
  • Newly qualified Trade Mark Attorney – £44,000 to £57,000 (£42,000 – £55,000).
  • Part qualified Trade Mark Attorney – £32,000 to £43,000 (£29,000 – £38,000).
  • Trainee Trade Mark Attorney – £25,000 to £32,000 (£25,000 – £29,000).

For Trade Mark Attorneys, increases are higher at the lower level positions than for patent attorneys. For example, trainee ranges are boosted by £3,000, and part qualified Trade Mark Attorneys by £5,000. The increase at the very top level is at least £3,500.

Intellectual Property Solicitor salary increases

For Intellectual Property Solicitors, there is no change for Partner level positions. These remain at the same £100,000+ per annum as last year. Trainees are looking at a boost of up to £2,000 at the top of their salary range, and qualified solicitors with 1-2 years’ PQE up to £5,000 more.

  • Partner level/Head of Department – £100,000+ (£100,000+).
  • Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years’ PQE – £70,000 to £115,000 (£90,000+).
  • Qualified Solicitor with 3-5 years’ PQE – £73,000 to £95,000 (£70,000 – £90,000).
  • Qualified Solicitor with 1-2 years’ PQE – £55,000 to £82,000 (£50,000 – £80,000).
  • Newly qualified Solicitor – £40,000 to £65,000 (£38,000 – £62,000).
  • Trainee Solicitor – £25,000 to £38,000 (£24,000 – £36,000).

Salary ranges for support and management

As well as the attorney and solicitor positions, this sector has plenty of management and support roles. The salary ranges are split between London weighted and regional, as they do differ. Below are salary ranges for key positions for 2019. For comparisons with 2018’s salaries, check the full report.

  • Patent/Trade Mark Administrator
    • 1-3 years’ experience London: £23,000 to £34,000 / Regional: £23,000 to £30,000.
    • 3-5 years’ experience London: £35,000 to £42,000 / Regional: £27,000 to £37,000.
    • 5+ years’ London: £38,000 to £47,000 / Regional: £30,000 to £45,000.
  • Patent/Trade Mark Paralegal
    • 1-3 years’ experience London: £25,000 to £40,000 / Regional: £20,000 to £25,000.
    • 3-5 years’ experience London: £38,000 to £48,000 / Regional: £25,000 to £35,000.
    • 5+years’ experience London: £40,000 to £54,000 / Regional: £30,000 to £50,000.
  • Records/Formalities Manager
    • London: £60,000 to £90,000.
    • Regional: £45,000 to £62,000.

We also include salary ranges for trade mark and patent secretarial staff, office support staff, HR staff, accounts and Intellectual Property litigation secretarial positions.

Technical support roles salary ranges

Technical support roles are a key part of this industry sector, with many fascinating and fulfilling positions available. The report shows split ranges, to take into account London weighting.

In 2019, there are slightly higher salary increases in many instances for regional salary ranges. For example, Patent Analysts in London can expect their salary range to increase by £1,000 at the top level, but those outside London with four to seven years’ experience can receive up to £6,000 more than in 2018.

It’s a similar story for Intellectual Property Managers. At the top Head of Department level, London salaries have increased by at least £2,500 while regional salary ranges have increased by at least £5,000.

Company benefits included in report

An attractive incentive for this sector is the company benefits people can typically expect to receive. Here are just some that are available, with all of them listed in the full report.

  • 23 to 28 days annual holiday (excluding bank holidays).
  • Performance/profit related bonus.
  • Health insurance.
  • Dental plan.
  • Childcare vouchers.
  • Flexible working hours.

Overtime rates are also far more generous than many other industries. For 2019, they are:

  • Over seven hours overtime – time and a half.
  • Saturdays – double time.
  • Sundays – double or triple time.
  • From midnight – double or triple time.

For full details of all salary increases and benefits, see the complete report here.

 

About Dawn Ellmore Employment

Dawn Ellmore Employment is a market leader in intellectual property and legal recruitment.