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The differences between security architects and solutions architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security architect has an average salary of $128,636, which is higher than the $116,327 average annual salary of a solutions architect.
The top three skills for a security architect include cloud security, architecture and cloud. The most important skills for a solutions architect are cloud, java, and AWS.
| Security Architect | Solutions Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $128,636 | $116,327 |
| Hourly rate | $61.84 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 127,619 | 107,754 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
A security architect specializes in designing and establishing security systems and measures to protect a company and its clients from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around reviewing existing security systems to determine areas needing improvement, implementing upgrades, and devising strategies to identify a company's information technology needs. A security architect may also provide instructional materials to employees on utilizing the security systems, respond to inquiries and concerns, and perform maintenance tests as needed. Furthermore, should there be any incidents of breaches, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent it from happening again.
A solutions architect specializes in creating and implementing software systems that improve business operations and resolve network issues. They are primarily responsible for conducting research and analysis to assess the business's needs, develop specific designs for the company, provide solutions should there be any system issues, and keep company officials informed with all changes and updates. Furthermore, a solutions architect must lead and encourage development teams, stay up to date with the newest trends to continue innovations within the systems, and implement its policies and guidelines.
Security architects and solutions architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Architect | Solutions Architect | |
| Average salary | $128,636 | $116,327 |
| Salary range | Between $92,000 And $179,000 | Between $87,000 And $154,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | The Knot | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between a security architect and a solutions architect in terms of educational background:
| Security Architect | Solutions Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between security architects' and solutions architects' demographics:
| Security Architect | Solutions Architect | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 9% | 11% |