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The differences between systems architects and senior architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a systems architect has an average salary of $103,764, which is higher than the $91,624 average annual salary of a senior architect.
The top three skills for a systems architect include cloud, java and python. The most important skills for a senior architect are cloud, java, and infrastructure.
| Systems Architect | Senior Architect | |
| Yearly salary | $103,764 | $91,624 |
| Hourly rate | $49.89 | $44.05 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 232,582 | 103,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
A Senior Architect performs design drafting and evaluates architectural or engineering plans regarding building construction or improvement projects. They review building plans and site design for aesthetics, environmental acceptability, and compliance with quality standards.
Systems architects and senior architects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Architect | Senior Architect | |
| Average salary | $103,764 | $91,624 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $141,000 | Between $58,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | - |
There are a few differences between a systems architect and a senior architect in terms of educational background:
| Systems Architect | Senior Architect | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between systems architects' and senior architects' demographics:
| Systems Architect | Senior Architect | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% |
| 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, 2.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 16.1% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 15% |