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Architect vs staff architect

The differences between architects and staff 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 staff architect. Additionally, an architect has an average salary of $86,635, which is higher than the $74,065 average annual salary of a staff architect.

The top three skills for an architect include cloud, java and infrastructure. The most important skills for a staff architect are java, revit, and conceptual development.

Architect vs staff architect overview

ArchitectStaff Architect
Yearly salary$86,635$74,065
Hourly rate$41.65$35.61
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs94,621144,134
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
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 staff architect do?

A Staff Architect is responsible for developing conceptual designs, preparing construction documents, and providing assistance and consultation to clients on architectural problems. They also help senior architects with various tasks.

Architect vs staff architect salary

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

ArchitectStaff Architect
Average salary$86,635$74,065
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $137,000Between $47,000 And $114,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaNVIDIA
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between architect and staff architect education

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

ArchitectStaff Architect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorArchitectureArchitecture
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Architect vs staff architect demographics

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

ArchitectStaff Architect
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 76.7% Female, 23.3%Male, 77.1% Female, 22.9%
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, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 16.1% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between architect and staff 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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Staff architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage a training communications program and oversee the implementation of a web-base LMS.
  • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
  • Respond to RFI's and submittals, while maintaining logs and records.
  • Configure boot-from-SAN volumes for the C7000 blades through FCoE and converge network adapters.
  • Include the development and launch of a customize LMS pathway complete with a blend of e-learning and classroom sessions.
  • Assist in the contract administration of a hotel, answering RFI's and coordinating with consultants to provide workable solutions.
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Architect vs staff architect skills

Common architect skills
  • Cloud, 10%
  • Java, 8%
  • Infrastructure, 7%
  • Azure, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Digital Transformation, 5%
Common staff architect skills
  • Java, 28%
  • Revit, 18%
  • Conceptual Development, 7%
  • MEP, 7%
  • Visualization, 6%
  • Client Presentations, 5%

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