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Information architect vs software engineer

The differences between information architects and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an information architect and a software engineer. Additionally, an information architect has an average salary of $121,945, which is higher than the $100,260 average annual salary of a software engineer.

The top three skills for an information architect include java, data architecture and data models. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.

Information architect vs software engineer overview

Information ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Yearly salary$121,945$100,260
Hourly rate$58.63$48.20
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs135,563339,938
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

What does an information architect do?

An information architect specializes in designing and developing user-friendly visual imagery that aims to inform and convey messages. Their responsibilities involve utilizing CSS and HTML software, creating websites and layouts, coordinating with the creative and design teams, and developing strategies to produce an attractive and functional interface. They must also understand the needs of the clients or company, drafting designs for approval. Furthermore, as an information architect, it is essential to maintain an active line of communication with team members for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a software engineer do?

A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.

Information architect vs software engineer salary

Information architects and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Information ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Average salary$121,945$100,260
Salary rangeBetween $87,000 And $170,000Between $73,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Bruno, CA
Highest paying stateOregonCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleThe Citadel
Best paying industryManufacturingStart-up

Differences between information architect and software engineer education

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

Information ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common college-Harvard University

Information architect vs software engineer demographics

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

Information ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 66.9% Female, 33.1%Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.3% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between information architect and software engineer duties and responsibilities

Information architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage whole UNIX file system and monitor all UNIX process.
  • Lead, document, and report on the daily scrum meetings.
  • Serve as an SME on technical and policy issues to high level managers and technical leads for national systems.
  • Manage the metadata repository and set of reference parameters for external and internal web content.
  • Migrate documentation from FrameMaker into LCA and rework to apply structure authoring and minimalism principles (DITA).
  • Interview SMEs and QA to gather documentation data.
  • Show more

Software engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage product releases, solve software bugs in a client/server environment, write UNIX shell scripts to manage development environments.
  • Manage responsive UI design, implementing complex, dynamic functionality.
  • Define continuous integration process and configure Jenkins build server to manage it.
  • Develop a python serial communication program to automate test procedures and verify proper operation.
  • Manage website/software/mobile applications by generating full scope requirements base upon PMI / SDLC guidance.
  • Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
  • Show more

Information architect vs software engineer skills

Common information architect skills
  • Java, 6%
  • Data Architecture, 6%
  • Data Models, 5%
  • Metadata, 5%
  • Data Quality, 4%
  • Data Governance, 4%
Common software engineer skills
  • Java, 15%
  • Python, 9%
  • Software Development, 6%
  • Database, 3%
  • GIT, 3%
  • Object Oriented Programming, 3%

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