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What does a web architect do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.

A web architect specializes in designing and developing web applications and solutions. Among their duties include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, conceptualizing plans and framework, generating codes and other materials, creating test structures to eliminate bugs, maintaining extensive records, and establishing security measures and policies. They may also provide technical support and guidance to staff during the projects. Moreover, a web architect typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

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Web architect responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real web architect resumes:

  • Manage several active critical projects at once and lead a team of Java/J2EE developers, consultants and testers.
  • Manage UI designer; help to develop look-and-feel.
  • Manage a team of 4 backend and UI developers.
  • Manage high transaction databases including all database objects, triggers, procedures, user rights and functions.
  • Modify existing XSLT's for translation of XML data to HTML pages.
  • Design and develop socket-based client / server applications using Java, XML and SQL.
  • Utilize ColdFusion, HTML, DHTML, Perl, CGI, and JavaScript development technologies.
  • Project: CSS, OSCaR, CTI and CBP.
  • Implement server side tasks using Servlets and XML.
  • Staff training in Ajax c #wrappers and server controls.
  • Develop and maintain web services with use of asp.net Web API.
  • Design and develop procedures to execute Unix script from a dashboard.
  • Architect and implement API as NT DLL class library using VC++ and WIN32.
  • Develop shell scripts in UNIX for checking the health status of the WMQ.
  • Customize CSS application in SAP-SRM to update rate changes, fees and business object relations.

Web architect skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Web Architects are proficient in User Interface, WebSphere, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Customer-service skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Web Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • User Interface, 9%

    Designed and built Web pages, user interfaces, and graphics for all Spider products.

  • WebSphere, 7%

    Configured WebSphere 8.5.5 environments, integrated with AD/LDAP and migrated several applications.

  • Java, 7%

    Designed and developed the Java Thread API implementation, and underlying support for Windows NT and the VxWorks OS.

  • Architecture, 6%

    Reorganized information architecture of CVM web increasing the ability to navigate intuitively throughout the website.

  • Web Application, 5%

    Worked with other department managers to implement tactical plans to ensure that Web applications met strategic business objectives.

  • JavaScript, 5%

    Utilized client-side JavaScript form validation and server-side Perl programming techniques.

Most web architects use their skills in "user interface," "websphere," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential web architect responsibilities here:

Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a web architect to have is concentration. Their role and responsibilities require that "web developers must sit at a computer and write detailed code for long periods." Web architects often use concentration in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed infopath forms with concentration on integration into sharepoint lists. "

Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform web architect duties is customer-service skills. Web architects responsibilities require that "webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests." Web architects also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "trained and guided customers on usage of apelon's api and java client-server applications and tools. "

Creativity. web architects are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to web architect responsibilities, because "web developers often are involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it is appealing as well as functional." A web architect resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "migrated php, html based website into wordpress exercised creative judgment in researching and recruiting promotional affiliates. "

Detail oriented. web architect responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "web developers need to have an eye for detail, because a minor error in coding could cause an entire webpage to stop working." This resume example shows what web architects do with detail oriented on a typical day: "object-oriented user-interface coding using angular.js, javascript, jquery, ajax, html5, css3, and jquerymobile. "

Most common web architect skills

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Compare different web architects

Web architect vs. Software developer

A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.

The annual salary of software developers is $24,814 lower than the average salary of web architects.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between web architects and software developers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like user interface, websphere, and java.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, web architect responsibilities require skills like "architecture," "pre sales," "c #," and "infrastructure." Meanwhile a typical software developer has skills in areas such as "python," "software development," "git," and "scrum." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Software developers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $96,138. On the other hand, web architects are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $133,506.The education levels that software developers earn slightly differ from web architects. In particular, software developers are 4.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a web architect. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Web architect vs. Lead software developer

A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.

Lead software developer positions earn higher pay than web architect roles. They earn a $2,737 higher salary than web architects per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Web architects and lead software developers both require similar skills like "user interface," "java," and "architecture" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, web architect responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "websphere," "database," "pre sales," and "c #." Meanwhile, a lead software developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "application development," "software development," "python," and "project management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Lead software developers may earn a higher salary than web architects, but lead software developers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $115,917. On the other hand, web architects receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $133,506.In general, lead software developers achieve higher levels of education than web architects. They're 5.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for web architects in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Web architect vs. Senior software engineer

Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.

An average senior software engineer eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of web architects. The difference in salaries amounts to senior software engineers earning a $2,159 higher average salary than web architects.By looking over several web architects and senior software engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "user interface," "websphere," and "java." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from web architect resumes include skills like "pre sales," "c #," "infrastructure," and "windows," whereas a senior software engineer is more likely to list skills in "python," "git," "scrum," and "web services. "

Senior software engineers earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $128,740. Web architects earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $133,506.When it comes to education, senior software engineers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to web architects. In fact, they're 8.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Web architect vs. Senior web developer

A senior web developer is responsible for designing, building, and optimizing websites and other software applications. You are expected to perform a few tasks that include identifying client specifications and user requirements, working closely with teams and clients, and testing and documenting software for websites. Other duties include writing, modifying, and debugging websites, keeping up-to-date with the latest social marketing trends, and supervising junior web developers. You will also be responsible for writing code to create web pages and to work closely with mobile developers.

Senior web developers average a lower salary than the annual salary of web architects. The difference is about $14,419 per year.According to resumes from web architects and senior web developers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "user interface," "java," and "web application. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A web architect uses "websphere," "architecture," "pre sales," and "c++." Senior web developers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "git," "wordpress," "web services," and "application development. "In general, senior web developers earn the most working in the media industry, with an average salary of $116,206. The highest-paying industry for a web architect is the finance industry.In general, senior web developers hold similar degree levels compared to web architects. Senior web developers are 4.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of web architect

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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