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The differences between lead software architects and principal 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 a lead software architect and a principal software engineer. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $123,577 average annual salary of a lead software architect.
The top three skills for a lead software architect include java, C++ and software development. The most important skills for a principal software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Lead Software Architect | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $123,577 | $134,230 |
| Hourly rate | $59.41 | $64.53 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 307,926 | 345,893 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Lead software architects and principal software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Software Architect | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $123,577 | $134,230 |
| Salary range | Between $89,000 And $170,000 | Between $98,000 And $182,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a lead software architect and a principal software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Software Architect | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between lead software architects' and principal software engineers' demographics:
| Lead Software Architect | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |