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Enterprise architect vs principal architect

The differences between enterprise architects 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 $118,506 average annual salary of an enterprise architect.

The top three skills for an enterprise architect include cloud, infrastructure and roadmap. The most important skills for a principal architect are cloud, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

Enterprise architect vs principal architect overview

Enterprise ArchitectPrincipal Architect
Yearly salary$118,506$133,276
Hourly rate$56.97$64.08
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs89,628118,908
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an enterprise architect do?

An enterprise architect is responsible for evaluating systems to develop business operations, ensuring efficiency and profit growth. They mostly establish architectural models according to business plans and existing systems, perform research and analysis, recommend changes in the information technology structures, and conduct skills assessment to determine the needs of employees. One may also spearhead training programs for new employees, coordinate with different departments, and suggest alternatives for cost reduction. Furthermore, as an enterprise architect, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

What does a principal architect do?

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.

Enterprise architect vs principal architect salary

Enterprise architects and principal architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

Enterprise ArchitectPrincipal Architect
Average salary$118,506$133,276
Salary rangeBetween $86,000 And $162,000Between $97,000 And $181,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyLevi Strauss & Co.Google
Best paying industryHospitalityTechnology

Differences between enterprise architect and principal architect education

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

Enterprise ArchitectPrincipal Architect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorComputer ScienceArchitecture
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Enterprise architect vs principal architect demographics

Here are the differences between enterprise architects' and principal architects' demographics:

Enterprise ArchitectPrincipal Architect
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between enterprise architect and principal architect duties and responsibilities

Enterprise architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage and update Jenkins build service.
  • Lead the approach of microservices for large outboard services.
  • Develop the physical model, and work with the DBA on managing the physical environments.
  • Consolidate, manage and support the DCMO SharePoint, MilBook, Forge.mil and other DoD databases and platforms.
  • Support information assurance efforts to achieve and maintain DIACAP ATO status for an enterprise SharePoint farm host at DISA.
  • Manage the efforts of team members performing daily tasks, out-of-cycle maintenance, and attending to regularly schedule maintenance windows.
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Principal architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage and review Hadoop log files.
  • Manage integrated ERP projects for manufacturing plants
  • Design and implement a Java base reverse proxy that manage application routes.
  • Lead architecture development for a CRM web collaboration product and a CRM multi-media/multi-channel integration product.
  • Manage offshore engineering team, overcoming challenges including technical, resource planning & motivation, communication, and infrastructure.
  • Design and develop the rich desktop web client using ExtJS, a JavaScript framework with an extensive library of UI components.
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Enterprise architect vs principal architect skills

Common enterprise architect skills
  • Cloud, 7%
  • Infrastructure, 6%
  • Roadmap, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Java, 5%
  • Emerging Technologies, 5%
Common principal architect skills
  • Cloud, 8%
  • Infrastructure, 7%
  • Emerging Technologies, 6%
  • Java, 5%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Python, 4%

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