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The differences between software leaders and software architects 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 leader and a software architect. Additionally, a software leader has an average salary of $124,694, which is higher than the $114,406 average annual salary of a software architect.
The top three skills for a software leader include java, python and cloud. The most important skills for a software architect are java, architecture, and cloud.
| Software Leader | Software Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $124,694 | $114,406 |
| Hourly rate | $59.95 | $55.00 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 267,920 | 319,594 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Software Leader takes responsibility for the execution of his/her /her team and the quality of the team's performance. Software Leaders ensure the cadence of their team's production process. As coaches, leaders mentor and teach the people within the team. They extend help when their team needs it to remove any possible hindrance. Also, they serve as team ambassadors or representatives.
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.
Software leaders and software architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Leader | Software Architect | |
| Average salary | $124,694 | $114,406 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $166,000 | Between $82,000 And $158,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Aspiration |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a software leader and a software architect in terms of educational background:
| Software Leader | Software Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between software leaders' and software architects' demographics:
| Software Leader | Software Architect | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |