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The differences between chief architects and directors of software development can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chief architect has an average salary of $168,836, which is higher than the $158,853 average annual salary of a director of software development.
The top three skills for a chief architect include cloud, infrastructure and digital transformation. The most important skills for a director of software development are java, software development, and cloud.
| Chief Architect | Director Of Software Development | |
| Yearly salary | $168,836 | $158,853 |
| Hourly rate | $81.17 | $76.37 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 98,518 | 136,310 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | 8 |
Chief architects are C-level executives in information technology (IT) who look at IT functions that may be centralized for seamless collaboration. They are also called enterprise architects who design and manage the software release team base on the scrum/agile development methodologies. Their job involves systems analysis, and they project plan in transitioning the Internet operation of MCI to wireless and cable platforms. Also, they offer a disaster recovery solution for a virtual or physical server to a data center in the cloud.
A director of software development is primarily in charge of overseeing the workflow and the workforce involved in the entire software development process. Their responsibilities also include creating strategies for optimal performance, coordinating with different teams and departments to identify strengths and weaknesses, implementing training and workshop programs, and liaising with external agencies, including key clients. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach new heights.
Chief architects and directors of software development have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chief Architect | Director Of Software Development | |
| Average salary | $168,836 | $158,853 |
| Salary range | Between $111,000 And $255,000 | Between $110,000 And $228,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Zscaler | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a chief architect and a director of software development in terms of educational background:
| Chief Architect | Director Of Software Development | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between chief architects' and directors of software development' demographics:
| Chief Architect | Director Of Software Development | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| 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, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 15.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |