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Project architect vs project manager/design manager

The differences between project architects and project manager/design managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a project architect, becoming a project manager/design manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a project manager/design manager has an average salary of $83,794, which is higher than the $76,812 average annual salary of a project architect.

The top three skills for a project architect include revit, autocad and sketch. The most important skills for a project manager/design manager are project management, CAD, and construction management.

Project architect vs project manager/design manager overview

Project ArchitectProject Manager/Design Manager
Yearly salary$76,812$83,794
Hourly rate$36.93$40.29
Growth rate3%8%
Number of jobs82,192139,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4546
Years of experience48

Project architect vs project manager/design manager salary

Project architects and project manager/design managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project ArchitectProject Manager/Design Manager
Average salary$76,812$83,794
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $110,000Between $55,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyWestern Alliance BankIntuitive Surgical
Best paying industryConstructionManufacturing

Differences between project architect and project manager/design manager education

There are a few differences between a project architect and a project manager/design manager in terms of educational background:

Project ArchitectProject Manager/Design Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorArchitectureArchitecture
Most common collegeCornell UniversityHarvard University

Project architect vs project manager/design manager demographics

Here are the differences between project architects' and project manager/design managers' demographics:

Project ArchitectProject Manager/Design Manager
Average age4546
Gender ratioMale, 80.9% Female, 19.1%Male, 66.0% Female, 34.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%4%

Differences between project architect and project manager/design manager duties and responsibilities

Project architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage the distribution of and collection of RFQ from and to contractors and sub-contractors.
  • Manage design team (s) & consultants of various projects throughout NYC & Washington DC.
  • Advise clients on means to achieve actionable goals through sustainable design practices per USGBC leer standards.
  • Lead teams in developing use cases, models, systems, and interfaces leveraging J2EE technology.
  • Lead the rebranding of all visual communications, including a new website design and print collateral standards.
  • Coordinate with leer consultants to achieve project certifications.
  • Show more

Project manager/design manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and approve all changes to the project along with all AIA document approvals.
  • Involve in Unix shell script development to automate ETL jobs by using Informatica sessions and workflows.
  • Manage the schematic phase and generate all the necessary documents to be submit to the structural and MEP consultants.
  • Manage internal prototype injection molding operations on a project basis.
  • Lead efforts to redesign and convert existing self-pace and instructor-le course materials into eLearning and web-base formats.
  • Lead safety compliance by conducting regular safety meetings with subcontractors and strictly enforcing safety policies and procedures, including OSHA regulations.
  • Show more

Project architect vs project manager/design manager skills

Common project architect skills
  • Revit, 21%
  • Autocad, 10%
  • Sketch, 6%
  • SketchUp, 5%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Building Codes, 5%
Common project manager/design manager skills
  • Project Management, 20%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Construction Management, 5%
  • Fire Protection, 5%
  • Project Scope, 5%
  • Revit, 4%

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