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Lead software architect vs software consultant

The differences between lead software architects and software consultants 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 software consultant. Additionally, a lead software architect has an average salary of $123,577, which is higher than the $88,605 average annual salary of a software consultant.

The top three skills for a lead software architect include java, C++ and software development. The most important skills for a software consultant are web application, database, and java.

Lead software architect vs software consultant overview

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Consultant
Yearly salary$123,577$88,605
Hourly rate$59.41$42.60
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs307,926275,746
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

Lead software architect vs software consultant salary

Lead software architects and software consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Consultant
Average salary$123,577$88,605
Salary rangeBetween $89,000 And $170,000Between $68,000 And $115,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyThe Walt Disney CompanySilver Peak
Best paying industryRetailHealth Care

Differences between lead software architect and software consultant education

There are a few differences between a lead software architect and a software consultant in terms of educational background:

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Lead software architect vs software consultant demographics

Here are the differences between lead software architects' and software consultants' demographics:

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Consultant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between lead software architect and software consultant duties and responsibilities

Lead software architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage technical infrastructure including but not limit to AWS images and instances, deployment procedures and tools, and monitoring.
  • Participate in the creation and review of UI and coding standards while leading code reviews.
  • Practice agile, scrum methodology with short release cycles.
  • Design and develop windows form in VB.NET for share brokers.
  • Embed Linux development and customization of kernel for system control of burst messaging.
  • Provide overall technical direction and standards for the scrum teams working on the project.
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Software consultant example responsibilities.

  • Develop a tool under Linux using C/C++ and raw network sockets to automate testing and for bench marking.
  • Develop and implement Unix and Perl shell scripts to automate application support process and to minimize troubleshooting latency.
  • Develop UI using HTML, JavaScript, JSP, DHTML, CSS for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.
  • Design and review Java application architecture; analyze software development process and suggest alternative technologies.
  • Used Java, JavaScript, HTML, store procedures, cursors, complex joins, etc.
  • Live supplier data and distributor information are fed into the system via BizTalk server using XML web services as external subscriptions.
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Lead software architect vs software consultant skills

Common lead software architect skills
  • Java, 9%
  • C++, 8%
  • Software Development, 7%
  • Windows, 6%
  • Linux, 6%
  • OS, 4%
Common software consultant skills
  • Web Application, 9%
  • Database, 7%
  • Java, 6%
  • PL/SQL, 5%
  • SQL Server, 5%
  • Software Development, 3%

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