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The differences between functional consultants and solutions architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a solutions architect has an average salary of $116,327, which is higher than the $85,317 average annual salary of a functional consultant.
The top three skills for a functional consultant include business process, prototyping and ERP. The most important skills for a solutions architect are cloud, java, and AWS.
| Functional Consultant | Solutions Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $85,317 | $116,327 |
| Hourly rate | $41.02 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 51,066 | 107,754 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
A functional consultant is responsible for supporting a team of business analysts and software engineers in designing and creating a software system and related computer applications, following the specifications of a client on their software needs. Functional consultants analyze different technological approaches, evaluate technical solutions, and utilize the best system method to meet the requirements of a client efficiently. A functional consultant performs multiple diagnostic tests to ensure the optimal performance of the system. They should also have excellent communication skills, especially in coordinating with the clients on updates and adjustments as needed.
A solutions architect specializes in creating and implementing software systems that improve business operations and resolve network issues. They are primarily responsible for conducting research and analysis to assess the business's needs, develop specific designs for the company, provide solutions should there be any system issues, and keep company officials informed with all changes and updates. Furthermore, a solutions architect must lead and encourage development teams, stay up to date with the newest trends to continue innovations within the systems, and implement its policies and guidelines.
Functional consultants and solutions architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Consultant | Solutions Architect | |
| Average salary | $85,317 | $116,327 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $110,000 | Between $87,000 And $154,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Workday | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Retail |
There are a few differences between a functional consultant and a solutions architect in terms of educational background:
| Functional Consultant | Solutions Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | - | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between functional consultants' and solutions architects' demographics:
| Functional Consultant | Solutions Architect | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 25.2% White, 51.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 11% |