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The differences between architects and project 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 project architect. Additionally, an architect has an average salary of $86,635, which is higher than the $76,812 average annual salary of a project architect.
The top three skills for an architect include cloud, java and infrastructure. The most important skills for a project architect are revit, autocad, and sketch.
| Architect | Project Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $86,635 | $76,812 |
| Hourly rate | $41.65 | $36.93 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 94,621 | 82,192 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 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 project architect spearheads and oversees a construction project's design and development procedures from the planning stages to its completion, ensuring it adheres to standards, budgets, and deadlines. They primarily coordinate with the clients to understand and identify project needs, leading the engineers and contractors throughout the project. They are also typically in charge of preparing all of the necessary documents and ensuring that procedures adhere to state and federal laws, including the environmental, zoning, and safety standards. Additionally, a project architect maintains an open communication line with the clients, updating them regularly.
Architects and project architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Architect | Project Architect | |
| Average salary | $86,635 | $76,812 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $137,000 | Between $53,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Meta | Western Alliance Bank |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between an architect and a project architect in terms of educational background:
| Architect | Project Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Architecture | Architecture |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between architects' and project architects' demographics:
| Architect | Project Architect | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| 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, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |