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The differences between systems designers and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a systems designer, becoming an architectural designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a systems designer has an average salary of $93,438, which is higher than the $59,122 average annual salary of an architectural designer.
The top three skills for a systems designer include system design, CRM and sales proposals. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.
| Systems Designer | Architectural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $93,438 | $59,122 |
| Hourly rate | $44.92 | $28.42 |
| Growth rate | 2% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 101,665 | 54,358 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
In the information technology industry, a systems designer specializes in creating systems in adherence to the client or company's needs. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis, gathering and analyzing operational data and client feedback, subjecting designs in a variety of tests, coordinating with engineers, troubleshooting problems, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They may also assess existing systems and design enhancements as needed. Moreover, a systems designer may provide technical support and guidance to staff while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Systems designers and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Designer | Architectural Designer | |
| Average salary | $93,438 | $59,122 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $125,000 | Between $45,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a systems designer and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Designer | Architectural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Architecture |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between systems designers' and architectural designers' demographics:
| Systems Designer | Architectural Designer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 16.5% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |