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The differences between systems architects and senior systems software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior systems software engineer has an average salary of $122,275, 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 a senior systems software engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,764 | $122,275 |
| Hourly rate | $49.89 | $58.79 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 232,582 | 359,248 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| 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 systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Systems architects and senior systems software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,764 | $122,275 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $141,000 | Between $91,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a systems architect and a senior systems software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between systems architects' and senior systems software engineers' demographics:
| Systems Architect | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% | Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |