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The differences between systems architects and senior systems analysts 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 $82,717 average annual salary of a senior systems analyst.
The top three skills for a systems architect include cloud, java and python. The most important skills for a senior systems analyst are project management, java, and sql server.
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $103,764 | $82,717 |
| Hourly rate | $49.89 | $39.77 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 232,582 | 154,569 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| 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.
A senior systems analyst is responsible for analyzing IT systems and networks, modifying existing systems for better optimization, and designing efficient technology systems from clients' specifications and business needs. Senior systems analysts regularly inspect the performance of the system networks, ensuring its efficiency and accuracy to support daily operations. They perform troubleshooting, upgrade network infrastructures, and maintain the highest security of the database. A senior systems analyst must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry and a strong command of system languages to mitigate system complexities and improve network processes.
Systems architects and senior systems analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Average salary | $103,764 | $82,717 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $141,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Credit Karma |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a systems architect and a senior systems analyst in terms of educational background:
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| 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 |
Here are the differences between systems architects' and senior systems analysts' demographics:
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% | Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8% |
| 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, 10.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |