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Engineer vs architect

The differences between engineers and architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an engineer, becoming an architect takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $86,635 average annual salary of an architect.

The top three skills for an engineer include python, cloud and C++. The most important skills for an architect are cloud, java, and infrastructure.

Engineer vs architect overview

EngineerArchitect
Yearly salary$92,077$86,635
Hourly rate$44.27$41.65
Growth rate2%3%
Number of jobs618,20794,621
Job satisfaction4.333
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4145
Years of experience64

What does an engineer do?

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

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".

Engineer vs architect salary

Engineers and architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

EngineerArchitect
Average salary$92,077$86,635
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $130,000Between $54,000 And $137,000
Highest paying CityHuntsville, ALSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireAlaska
Best paying companyFort Bend CountyMeta
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between engineer and architect education

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

EngineerArchitect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringArchitecture
Most common collegeMichigan Technological UniversityCornell University

Engineer vs architect demographics

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

EngineerArchitect
Average age4145
Gender ratioMale, 86.3% Female, 13.7%Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%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%
LGBT Percentage5%15%

Differences between engineer and architect duties and responsibilities

Engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage startup, trouble shooting and testing of PLC control equipment.
  • Lead project team to design and FDA validate 10-up extreme accuracy vial dosing system and CIP/SIP automate cleaning equipment.
  • Automate the creation of a WebLogic Admin and manage server deployment scheme within an installer for secure application deployment.
  • Install and test PLC in client own equipment on site - solve some logical and hardware issues to accomplish goal
  • Implement and manage continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS.
  • Manage Terraform and refactore from monolithic to application specific components.
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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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Engineer vs architect skills

Common engineer skills
  • Python, 8%
  • Cloud, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • C #, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Java, 4%
Common architect skills
  • Cloud, 10%
  • Java, 8%
  • Infrastructure, 7%
  • Azure, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Digital Transformation, 5%

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