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The differences between principal software engineers and architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a principal software engineer and an architect. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $86,635 average annual salary of an architect.
The top three skills for a principal software engineer include java, python and software development. The most important skills for an architect are cloud, java, and infrastructure.
| Principal Software Engineer | Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $134,230 | $86,635 |
| Hourly rate | $64.53 | $41.65 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 345,893 | 94,621 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
Architects are licensed professionals who specialize in art and science of design, building constructions, and structures. They play a vital role in the construction and not only responsible for the appearance but also the safety of users. They ensure that every structure is functional, safe, cost-effective, and suit the needs of the future occupants. They closely monitor the working progress to make sure that the project is built according to plan. Some architects are focused mainly on creating designs while some are exclusive in the production of building plans or "blueprints".
Principal software engineers and architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Software Engineer | Architect | |
| Average salary | $134,230 | $86,635 |
| Salary range | Between $98,000 And $182,000 | Between $54,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal software engineer and an architect in terms of educational background:
| Principal Software Engineer | Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Architecture |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between principal software engineers' and architects' demographics:
| Principal Software Engineer | Architect | |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% |
| 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, 2.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 16.0% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 15% |