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The differences between engineering managers and architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become an engineering manager, becoming an architect takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineering manager has an average salary of $139,328, which is higher than the $86,635 average annual salary of an architect.
The top three skills for an engineering manager include java, project management and continuous improvement. The most important skills for an architect are cloud, java, and infrastructure.
| Engineering Manager | Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $139,328 | $86,635 |
| Hourly rate | $66.98 | $41.65 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 67,124 | 94,621 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 48 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
An engineering manager is responsible for managing the overall concept of engineering and construction projects, ensuring that the plan meets the budget goals and the client's specifications. Engineering managers approve designs, plan strategic procedures to follow the project's timetable, analyze current market trends, hire the best and efficient contractors, and coordinate with the clients for any changes and adjustments as needed. An engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of engineering disciplines, as well as leadership and communication skills, monitoring the team's performance throughout the project.
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".
Engineering managers and architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Manager | Architect | |
| Average salary | $139,328 | $86,635 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $195,000 | Between $54,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mixpanel | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an engineering manager and an architect in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Manager | Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Architecture |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between engineering managers' and architects' demographics:
| Engineering Manager | Architect | |
| Average age | 48 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 Percentage | 9% | 15% |