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The differences between systems architects and systems consultants 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 $99,659 average annual salary of a systems consultant.
The top three skills for a systems architect include cloud, java and python. The most important skills for a systems consultant are infrastructure, project management, and C++.
| Systems Architect | Systems Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $103,764 | $99,659 |
| Hourly rate | $49.89 | $47.91 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 232,582 | 134,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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 systems consultant is responsible for advising on the design, plan, and installation of information technology systems for clients. You will analyze data of an organization, determine the requirements of an information system, and define project objectives. Other duties include providing recommendations on the appropriate software, hardware, and systems, designing and installing new software, and organizing and conducting training for end-users. You will also be responsible for preparing test plans and test scripts needed for system testing.
Systems architects and systems consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Architect | Systems Consultant | |
| Average salary | $103,764 | $99,659 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $141,000 | Between $74,000 And $134,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Internet |
There are a few differences between a systems architect and a systems consultant in terms of educational background:
| Systems Architect | Systems Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems architects' and systems consultants' demographics:
| Systems Architect | Systems Consultant | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8% | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |