Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between software development managers and solutions architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a software development manager has an average salary of $134,747, which is higher than the $116,327 average annual salary of a solutions architect.
The top three skills for a software development manager include java, AWS and architecture. The most important skills for a solutions architect are cloud, java, and AWS.
| Software Development Manager | Solutions Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $134,747 | $116,327 |
| Hourly rate | $64.78 | $55.93 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 265,464 | 107,754 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
A software development manager is an individual who manages teams of software developers that design and create software applications and web services for clients. Software development managers should delegate duties and establish development standards for the development team as well as create a budget and timeline for the project. They must meet with management to discuss how software applications can achieve business objectives. Once the software has been developed, software development managers must train technical and non-technical end-users. They must also be skilled in different programming languages such as HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.
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.
Software development managers and solutions architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Development Manager | Solutions Architect | |
| Average salary | $134,747 | $116,327 |
| Salary range | Between $100,000 And $180,000 | Between $87,000 And $154,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a software development manager and a solutions architect in terms of educational background:
| Software Development Manager | Solutions Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between software development managers' and solutions architects' demographics:
| Software Development Manager | Solutions Architect | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 11% | 11% |