Systems architect vs infrastructure architect

The differences between systems architects and infrastructure architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an infrastructure architect has an average salary of $119,786, 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 infrastructure architect are cloud, azure, and amazon web services.

Systems architect vs infrastructure architect overview

	Systems Architect	Infrastructure Architect
Yearly salary	$103,764	$119,786
Hourly rate	$49.89	$57.59
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	232,582	102,531
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

What does a systems architect do?

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.

What does an infrastructure architect do?

An infrastructure architect specializes in designing and establishing information systems to optimize business procedures and company operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and assessments to identify company needs, evaluate existing systems to determine its strengths and weaknesses, and present recommendations to senior officers or executives. Furthermore, an infrastructure architect must spearhead the integration and innovation of systems and technologies, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

Systems architect vs infrastructure architect salary

Systems architects and infrastructure architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Systems Architect	Infrastructure Architect
Average salary	$103,764	$119,786
Salary range	Between $76,000 And $141,000	Between $94,000 And $152,000
Highest paying City	Cupertino, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Oregon
Best paying company	Airbnb	Grubhub
Best paying industry	Automotive	Hospitality

Differences between systems architect and infrastructure architect education

There are a few differences between a systems architect and an infrastructure architect in terms of educational background:

	Systems Architect	Infrastructure Architect
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Stanford University

Systems architect vs infrastructure architect demographics

Here are the differences between systems architects' and infrastructure architects' demographics:

	Systems Architect	Infrastructure Architect
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%	Male, 93.4% Female, 6.6%
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%

Differences between systems architect and infrastructure architect duties and responsibilities

Systems architect example responsibilities.

Lead the customization of an open-source CRM platform to meet the demands of a leading EMEA pharmaceutical company.
Lead evaluation and sourcing effort for CRM implementation and implement internal tools to supplement CRM capabilities in the interim.
Manage the security and performance optimization for EJB containers and web applications in IBM websphere, IBMIHS web server.
Manage in-house and offshore consultants along with engineering team working on multiple product deployment and implementation in DEV and QA space.
Manage Linux dedicate hosting servers.
Manage SDLC for major enterprise-level system.

Infrastructure architect example responsibilities.

Improve LDAP ACI management which give the project ability to manage ACI's via grouper rather than case by case basis.
Manage global voice communications both traditional and VoIP telephony.
Manage all UNIX environments, installations, configurations and implementations.
Leverage SharePoint to automate business processes and track historical data.
Manage Cisco ASA firewalls and Microsoft ISA firewalls in production environment providing secure configurations and monitoring of the firewall logs.
Research cloud computing to help determine company direction and potential applications to migrate to a cloud-base infrastructure.

Systems architect vs infrastructure architect skills

Common systems architect skills

Cloud, 10%
Java, 8%
Python, 6%
C++, 6%
System Architecture, 6%
Linux, 4%

Common infrastructure architect skills

Cloud, 11%
Azure, 9%
Amazon Web Services, 7%
Linux, 7%
Cloud Computing, 5%
Switches, 5%

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Systems Architect vs Infrastructure Architect

Updated January 8, 2025

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