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The differences between architects and lead architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead architect has an average salary of $104,687, 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 lead architect are digital transformation, architecture, and java.
| Architect | Lead Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $86,635 | $104,687 |
| Hourly rate | $41.65 | $50.33 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 94,621 | 266,541 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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".
A lead architect spearheads architectural operations while maintaining an active communication line with clients. They typically meet with clients to discuss the project's needs and specifications, agree on a budget, provide advice and recommendations, and negotiate contracts. They are also in charge of developing building designs, coordinating staff, devising plans, incorporating essential systems, and providing technical and guidance as needed. Moreover, as the lead architect of the project, they must enforce policies and regulations to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.
Architects and lead architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Architect | Lead Architect | |
| Average salary | $86,635 | $104,687 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $137,000 | Between $78,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Insurance |
There are a few differences between an architect and a lead architect in terms of educational background:
| Architect | Lead Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Architecture | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between architects' and lead architects' demographics:
| Architect | Lead Architect | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 11% |