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The differences between lead architects and project architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead architect has an average salary of $104,687, which is higher than the $76,812 average annual salary of a project architect.
The top three skills for a lead architect include digital transformation, architecture and java. The most important skills for a project architect are revit, autocad, and sketch.
| Lead Architect | Project Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $104,687 | $76,812 |
| Hourly rate | $50.33 | $36.93 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 266,541 | 82,192 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A lead architect spearheads architectural operations while maintaining an active communication line with clients. They typically meet with clients to discuss the project's needs and specifications, agree on a budget, provide advice and recommendations, and negotiate contracts. They are also in charge of developing building designs, coordinating staff, devising plans, incorporating essential systems, and providing technical and guidance as needed. Moreover, as the lead architect of the project, they must enforce policies and regulations to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.
A project architect spearheads and oversees a construction project's design and development procedures from the planning stages to its completion, ensuring it adheres to standards, budgets, and deadlines. They primarily coordinate with the clients to understand and identify project needs, leading the engineers and contractors throughout the project. They are also typically in charge of preparing all of the necessary documents and ensuring that procedures adhere to state and federal laws, including the environmental, zoning, and safety standards. Additionally, a project architect maintains an open communication line with the clients, updating them regularly.
Lead architects and project architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Architect | Project Architect | |
| Average salary | $104,687 | $76,812 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $139,000 | Between $53,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Western Alliance Bank | |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Construction |
There are a few differences between a lead architect and a project architect in terms of educational background:
| Lead Architect | Project Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Architecture |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between lead architects' and project architects' demographics:
| Lead Architect | Project Architect | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% | Male, 80.9% Female, 19.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 15% |