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The differences between architect managers and principal architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a principal architect has an average salary of $133,276, which is higher than the $118,996 average annual salary of an architect manager.
The top three skills for an architect manager include cloud, java and python. The most important skills for a principal architect are cloud, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
| Architect Manager | Principal Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $118,996 | $133,276 |
| Hourly rate | $57.21 | $64.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 96,765 | 118,908 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An architect manager is primarily in charge of overseeing architectural projects. They manage a team of architects, set guidelines and timelines, lead the meetings with clients to identify their needs and preferences, and review plans and concepts. They also monitor the progress of operations and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a manager, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, engineers, and contractors for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Principal Architects manage all design work at an architecture firm. They ensure that all work is of high professional quality and manage the activity of other design professionals.
Architect managers and principal architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Architect Manager | Principal Architect | |
| Average salary | $118,996 | $133,276 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $160,000 | Between $97,000 And $181,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an architect manager and a principal architect in terms of educational background:
| Architect Manager | Principal Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Architecture |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between architect managers' and principal architects' demographics:
| Architect Manager | Principal Architect | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 11% | 11% |