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The differences between principal architects and information technology architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a principal architect has an average salary of $133,276, which is higher than the $116,007 average annual salary of an information technology architect.
The top three skills for a principal architect include cloud, infrastructure and emerging technologies. The most important skills for an information technology architect are cloud, java, and emerging technologies.
| Principal Architect | Information Technology Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $133,276 | $116,007 |
| Hourly rate | $64.08 | $55.77 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 118,908 | 156,730 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Principal Architects manage all design work at an architecture firm. They ensure that all work is of high professional quality and manage the activity of other design professionals.
An information technology architect is responsible for designing and creating new technology systems and optimizing the performance of existing ones. Information technology architects analyze the business needs and client requirements to identify system features and technology infrastructure according to budget limitations and timetables. They also consider the public demands and technology trends to ensure that the deliverables would reach the audience's interest to boost awareness and attract potential clients, generating more resources for revenues. An information technology architect should have excellent technical and project management skills, especially on implementing technology solutions and running diagnostic tests to measure systems compatibility.
Principal architects and information technology architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Architect | Information Technology Architect | |
| Average salary | $133,276 | $116,007 |
| Salary range | Between $97,000 And $181,000 | Between $88,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a principal architect and an information technology architect in terms of educational background:
| Principal Architect | Information Technology Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Architecture | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between principal architects' and information technology architects' demographics:
| Principal Architect | Information Technology Architect | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |