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Lead software architect vs software engineer

The differences between lead software 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 a lead software architect and a software engineer. Additionally, a lead software architect has an average salary of $123,577, which is higher than the $100,260 average annual salary of a software engineer.

The top three skills for a lead software architect include java, C++ and software development. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.

Lead software architect vs software engineer overview

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Yearly salary$123,577$100,260
Hourly rate$59.41$48.20
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs307,926339,938
Job satisfaction-3.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

Lead software architect vs software engineer salary

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

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Average salary$123,577$100,260
Salary rangeBetween $89,000 And $170,000Between $73,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Bruno, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Citadel
Best paying industryRetailStart-up

Differences between lead software architect and software engineer education

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

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard University

Lead software architect vs software engineer demographics

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

Lead Software ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0%
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, 4.4% 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 lead software architect and software engineer 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 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.
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Lead software architect vs software engineer skills

Common lead software architect skills
  • Java, 9%
  • C++, 8%
  • Software Development, 7%
  • Windows, 6%
  • Linux, 6%
  • OS, 4%
Common software engineer skills
  • Java, 15%
  • Python, 9%
  • Software Development, 6%
  • Database, 3%
  • GIT, 3%
  • Object Oriented Programming, 3%

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