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The differences between senior software architects and systems architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior software architect has an average salary of $129,435, which is higher than the $103,764 average annual salary of a systems architect.
The top three skills for a senior software architect include java, python and cloud. The most important skills for a systems architect are cloud, java, and python.
| Senior Software Architect | Systems Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $129,435 | $103,764 |
| Hourly rate | $62.23 | $49.89 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 310,354 | 232,582 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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 systems architect specializes in designing and developing computer networks and systems for company operations. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting research and analysis to identify a company's needs, devising strategies to reach particular goals, improving existing systems, and implementing solutions for optimal processes. A systems architect must also monitor the progress of all implementations, prepare progress reports and presentations, provide technical support as needed, and train new workforce members, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including vision and mission.
Senior software architects and systems architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Software Architect | Systems Architect | |
| Average salary | $129,435 | $103,764 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $178,000 | Between $76,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior software architect and a systems architect in terms of educational background:
| Senior Software Architect | Systems Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior software architects' and systems architects' demographics:
| Senior Software Architect | Systems Architect | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.0% Female, 6.0% | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 11% |