A solution architect is a kind of high-ranking IT professional responsible for the gap between what business needs and the implementation of it using technology. As an IT solution architect, one is the transliteration of complex business requirements into comprehensive technical designs. Essentially, they act as "technology translators" where every technical decision they make actually aligns with or makes sense to the broader organizational goals.
A Solutions Architect plays a multifaceted role and is the backbone of any IT project. Key responsibilities include:
A unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen is essential to excel as a Solutions Architect. Key skills and background requirements include:
Solutions Architects are typically employed in a variety of settings, including:
The salary for a Solutions Architect can be highly variable depending on several key factors:
Experience Level: More experienced engineers generally earn higher salaries. Entry-level engineers are generally less compensated than mid-level professionals, and senior-level engineers with years of experience and specialized skills earn the highest salaries.
Role Specificity: Areas like cybersecurity, cloud networking, or network automation will pay more as there is a demand for such specific skills.
Employer Type: The type of employer can be another factor influencing salary determinations. Larger firms and organizations, especially in growth industries, often provide higher salary and benefits.
Location: Geographic locations also play an important role. Salaries in urban metropolises and tech hubs are relatively greater mainly because the cost of living is higher, besides there being a higher demand for specialized skills.
Experience Level |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
Entry-Level (0-2 years) |
$136,000 |
₹5,50,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
Early Career (3-5 years) |
$153,391 |
₹13,00,000 |
Glassdoor, PayScale |
Mid-Level (6-9 years) |
$163,000 |
₹20,00,000 |
6figr, Glassdoor |
Senior-Level (10-14 years) |
$184,493 |
₹30,00,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
Principal-Level (15+ years) |
$190,000 |
₹45,00,000 |
Levels.fyi, 6figr |
Role |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
Entry-Level Solutions Architect |
$136,000 |
₹5,50,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
Senior Solutions Architect |
$275,000 |
₹30,00,000 |
Levels.fyi, Glassdoor |
Principal Solutions Architect |
$310,000 |
₹45,00,000 |
Levels.fyi, 6figr |
Cloud Solutions Architect |
$184,493 |
₹24,00,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
Company |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
$138,000 - $276,000 |
₹20-25 Lakhs |
Interview Kickstart |
Microsoft |
$150,000 - $210,000 |
₹22-30 Lakhs |
6figr |
Google Cloud |
$160,000 - $250,000 |
₹25-35 Lakhs |
6figr |
Salesforce |
$145,000 - $220,000 |
₹18-25 Lakhs |
6figr |
Oracle |
$130,000 - $190,000 |
₹15-22 Lakhs |
6figr |
IBM |
$125,000 - $180,000 |
₹16-20 Lakhs |
6figr |
Cisco |
$140,000 - $200,000 |
₹17-24 Lakhs |
6figr |
Skill Set |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
AWS Solutions Architecture |
$114,350 |
₹6,53,060 |
Glassdoor, PayScale |
Azure Solutions Architecture |
$163,000 |
₹20,70,000 - ₹26,50,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
Cloud Migration |
$153,391 |
₹30,00,000 |
Glassdoor |
Enterprise Architecture |
$184,493 |
₹45,00,000 |
6figr |
Salesforce Solutions |
$254,902 |
₹25,49,020 |
PayScale |
Certification |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate |
$159,033 |
₹7,23,000 - ₹30,00,000 |
Glassdoor, PayScale |
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional |
$276,000 |
₹45,00,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner |
$171,000 |
₹2,70,000 - ₹15,00,000 |
Glassdoor |
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator |
$158,777 |
₹5,50,000 - ₹20,00,000 |
PayScale |
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer |
$125,000 |
₹10,00,000 - ₹25,00,000 |
6figr |
Location |
Average Salary |
Source |
Salt Lake City, UT |
$280,632 |
Glassdoor |
New York, NY |
$274,000 |
6figr |
Dallas, TX |
$266,000 |
6figr |
Chicago, IL |
$248,000 |
6figr |
Seattle, WA |
$237,000 |
6figr |
Los Angeles, CA |
$221,000 |
6figr |
Santa Clara, CA |
$221,000 |
6figr |
Charlotte, NC |
$266,000 |
6figr |
Education Background |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
Bachelor's Degree (Computer Science) |
$124,960 |
₹13,00,000 |
Glassdoor, PayScale |
Master's Degree (IT/Computer Science) |
$159,033 |
₹20,00,000 |
6figr, Glassdoor |
MBA (Information Systems) |
$175,000 |
₹25,00,000 |
PayScale, 6figr |
PhD/Advanced Degree |
$184,493 |
₹30,00,000 |
Glassdoor, PayScale |
Industry |
US Salary |
India Salary |
Source |
Technology |
$190,000 |
₹29,00,000 |
Dice.com, 6figr |
Cloud Computing |
$184,493 |
₹27,80,000 |
Glassdoor, 6figr |
Information Technology |
$175,000 |
₹24,81,269 |
PayScale |
Enterprise Architecture |
$210,000 |
₹30,00,000 |
Levels.fyi, 6figr |
Sales Engineering |
$165,000 |
₹25,00,000 |
Glassdoor |
Management Consulting |
$180,000 |
₹26,50,000 |
PayScale, 6figr |
Solution architects are among the highest-paid professionals. This is because they basically help connect business needs and technology solutions. They have the intersection of both technical and business knowledge to design and implement robust and scalable IT architectures aligned with organization goals.
Solutions Architects are responsible for:
This high level of responsibility, combined with the criticality of their role in driving business success, translates into high demand and consequently, high salaries for skilled Solutions Architects.
The future of Solutions Architects is really promising. Business is becoming increasingly reliant on technology to create innovation and gain competitive advantage. So, the need for designing and implementing advanced IT solutions by highly skilled professionals will be increased in the years to come.
Solutions Architects must change with emerging new technologies like:
Continuous learning and upskilling will be critical for Solutions Architects to stay ahead of the curve and maintain their competitive edge.
To obtain a competitive Solutions Architect salary, focus on building a strong foundation of technical skills and business acumen.