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The differences between systems architects and information technology project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an information technology project manager has an average salary of $106,981, which is higher than the $103,764 average annual salary of a systems architect.
The top three skills for a systems architect include cloud, java and python. The most important skills for an information technology project manager are project management, infrastructure, and scrum.
| Systems Architect | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $103,764 | $106,981 |
| Hourly rate | $49.89 | $51.43 |
| Growth rate | 5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 232,582 | 207,249 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
An information technology project manager is responsible for supervising the technology department, ensuring that all tasks are being done by following technological strategies and solutions. Information technology project managers' duties include monitoring the technology team's daily operation, handling team members' concerns, managing customers' inquiries and complaints, helping team members' in achieving their professional growth, creating reports, sharing updates during team and board meetings, and maintaining effectivity of operational procedures. An information technology project manager must have excellent leadership and decision-making skills to decide on the best strategies in meeting the company's objectives.
Systems architects and information technology project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Architect | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $103,764 | $106,981 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $141,000 | Between $76,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Reed Smith |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a systems architect and an information technology project manager in terms of educational background:
| Systems Architect | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems architects' and information technology project managers' demographics:
| Systems Architect | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% | Male, 66.4% Female, 33.6% |
| 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% |