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Architect vs design architect

The differences between architects and design architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an architect and a design architect. Additionally, a design architect has an average salary of $89,139, which is higher than the $86,635 average annual salary of an architect.

The top three skills for an architect include cloud, java and infrastructure. The most important skills for a design architect are revit, architectural design, and project management.

Architect vs design architect overview

ArchitectDesign Architect
Yearly salary$86,635$89,139
Hourly rate$41.65$42.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs94,621111,505
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does an architect do?

Architects are licensed professionals who specialize in art and science of design, building constructions, and structures. They play a vital role in the construction and not only responsible for the appearance but also the safety of users. They ensure that every structure is functional, safe, cost-effective, and suit the needs of the future occupants. They closely monitor the working progress to make sure that the project is built according to plan. Some architects are focused mainly on creating designs while some are exclusive in the production of building plans or "blueprints".

What does a design architect do?

A Design Architect plans and designs buildings and other structures under the supervision of a senior architect. They use computer design software programs to craft various sketches or blueprints.

Architect vs design architect salary

Architects and design architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

ArchitectDesign Architect
Average salary$86,635$89,139
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $137,000Between $52,000 And $151,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyConstruction

Differences between architect and design architect education

There are a few differences between an architect and a design architect in terms of educational background:

ArchitectDesign Architect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorArchitectureArchitecture
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Architect vs design architect demographics

Here are the differences between architects' and design architects' demographics:

ArchitectDesign Architect
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 76.7% Female, 23.3%Male, 74.7% Female, 25.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 16.0% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between architect and design architect duties and responsibilities

Architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage Daimler resources for development of RFC programs
  • Manage overall testing activities withing the group including functinal, system and regression testing.
  • Manage the company website using HTML and CSS to produce an easily read website that customers can access more intuitively.
  • Manage GitLab and Jenkins deployment environment to support automate AWS- development software builds.
  • Lead re-architecture and implementation of cloud solution for enterprise auto-backup of individual computing devices.
  • Provide insight and manage all technology relate aspects with presentations and communications at Sr. management and CxO level.
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Design architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
  • Prepare layouts, drawings and 3D visualization.
  • Sketch and design of require facilities as per contract.
  • Master drawing with Revit and train team members on Revit.
  • Prepare presentation materials (BIM), 3D render images (walk through) animation.
  • Operate in individual role, scope of tasks including project pre-design/design, and construction documents using Revit.
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Architect vs design architect skills

Common architect skills
  • Cloud, 10%
  • Java, 8%
  • Infrastructure, 7%
  • Azure, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Digital Transformation, 5%
Common design architect skills
  • Revit, 16%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Sketch, 5%
  • Design Development, 4%
  • C #, 4%

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