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The differences between senior software architects and senior leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior software architect, becoming a senior leader takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior software architect has an average salary of $129,435, which is higher than the $114,328 average annual salary of a senior leader.
The top three skills for a senior software architect include java, python and cloud. The most important skills for a senior leader are java, project management, and architecture.
| Senior Software Architect | Senior Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $129,435 | $114,328 |
| Hourly rate | $62.23 | $54.97 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 310,354 | 214,805 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Senior Software Architect is focused on the development of new programs and software for technologically based organizations. They improve operations through conducting system analysis and recommending changes in policies and procedures.
A senior leader specializes in overseeing the business operations and work progress within a particular department or office. Focusing on the workflow and the workforce, they are in charge of assessing performances and motivating staff to meet goals and stay within the allotted time and budget. They may also participate in the hiring and training of new employees, utilizing their talents and shaping them into valuable members of the workforce, all while implementing company rules and regulations.
Senior software architects and senior leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Architect | Senior Leader | |
| Average salary | $129,435 | $114,328 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $178,000 | Between $80,000 And $162,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior software architect and a senior leader in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Architect | Senior Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior software architects' and senior leaders' demographics:
| Senior Software Architect | Senior Leader | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.0% Female, 6.0% | Male, 71.2% Female, 28.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |