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The differences between software architects and software engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a software architect and a software engineering manager. Additionally, a software engineering manager has an average salary of $140,929, which is higher than the $114,406 average annual salary of a software architect.
The top three skills for a software architect include java, architecture and cloud. The most important skills for a software engineering manager are java, software development, and software engineering.
| Software Architect | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $114,406 | $140,929 |
| Hourly rate | $55.00 | $67.75 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 319,594 | 262,296 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.
A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Software architects and software engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Architect | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $114,406 | $140,929 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $158,000 | Between $100,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Aspiration | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software architect and a software engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Architect | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software architects' and software engineering managers' demographics:
| Software Architect | Software Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2% | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |