Take control of your time and finances so you can focus on design
[**Going over budget?**
Take control of phases, timelines, staff, and contractors with precise budgets that are easy to monitor and forecast.](/content/blog/architects-vs-software-architects#tab/index.html) [**Want stronger profits?**
Stay on time and on budget with powerfully simple reports. Track and forecast project progress, revenue, and profit.](/content/blog/architects-vs-software-architects#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-1/index.html) [**Is time your worst enemy?**
Optimize time management across your team with seamless allocations, increased timesheet adoption, and dynamic reports.](/content/blog/architects-vs-software-architects#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-2/index.html) [**Struggling with clients?**
Easily share project progress, generate accurate invoices, and receive payments online. Then use streamlined reports to identify ideal clients.](/content/blog/architects-vs-software-architects#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-3/index.html)
Architects vs Software Architects: Who Wins?
In this article, we take a deep dive into the decade-long controversial debate on Building Architects vs Software Architects.
By Emily Mahon Fischer
Last updated on May 12, 2025
In the past few decades, another group calling themselves architects has stormed onto the scene – software architects.
A lot of architects are fed up with people in other professions using their hard-earned titles.
How many times have you been excited by job postings only to realize it’s for software architects?
In this article, we will try to get to the bottom of this.
What is a Building Architect?
To keep things clear in this article we are calling traditional architects building architects.
A building architect designs buildings and often advises in their construction.
Building architects get to think about both the structure and aesthetics of a building.
What is a Software Architect?
As technology evolves, even the dictionary has included the 2nd definition under architect for the software industry.
A software architect is usually someone who designs hardware, software, or networking applications for a company.
What do Building Architects Think?
In a poll inside the Women Architects Collective, we surveyed 372 architects to see what Building Architects think about this issue.
98% of Architects answered “no” when asked if software architects should be called architects.
Some question the legality of it and recognize that a lot of other professionals in the building industry miscall themselves as architects.
“Everyone wants to be an architect, but very few are - builders, developers, interior designers, software companies, etc. - many like to use "architecture" or some reference to it in their advertising, but in some cases, it is not legal.”
- Gary Demele, FAIA, NCARB Architect
Why Architects are Fed Up with Sharing Their Job Title
1 - It Makes Job Searching Frustrating
Many building architects find it frustrating to search for jobs online as job searching websites like Indeed.com don’t separate the 2 job titles.
2 - It Skews the Salary Numbers for Building Architects
Many architects question the average salaries listed on job searching websites.
3 - The Title “Architect” Needs Protecting
Many architects feel that their title needs to be protected since all of them work really hard for their license.
4 - Unlicensed Architects Can’t Use the Title
As we all know, until you are a licensed architect, you can’t use the title architect - in some states, you can’t even use the word "architectural" in your job title.
What Do Software Architects Think?
Software architects generally feel like at a high level, software architects and building architects have similar job responsibilities.
Both jobs design and guide a plan or undertaking.
Architects VS Software Architects: A Comparison
In this section, we’ll look at the differences and similarities by comparing their:
- Education
- Licensing requirements
- Job responsibilities
- Median Salary
Education Requirements
Both careers typically require a bachelor's degree at a minimum.
Licensing Requirements
You need the appropriate educational and experience background to qualify to take the multiple licensing exams.
Job Responsibilities
Some of the responsibilities a building architect might take on are:
- Planning and designing building projects
- Oversight of construction
- Understanding and correctly applying zoning and building codes
Median Salary
The median salary for an architect in 2020 was $82,320 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to PayScale.com, the median salary for software architects in 2020 was $124,099.
What Does AIA Think?
The AIA recognizes that many architects are bothered by the use of the word architect. They state that they understand and sympathize with architects’ concerns and supports protecting the term architects for licensed individuals.
What Does the Licensing Board Say?
The licensing board has been pretty clear on this matter. Calling yourself an “architect” while not being a licensed architect can get you punished.
Architects VS Software Architects: Who Wins?
In the battle of Architects VS Software Architects, there will probably never be a clear winner.
Both have fair points.
We think it's important to remember software architects and others using that title won't impact your ability to be a killer architect.
We Don’t Want the Conversation to End Here
Should the job title “architect” be used for building architects only?