Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Architect in United States during 2023

💰 The median Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Architect in United States during 2023 is USD 168,100

✏️ This salary info is based on 168 individual salaries reported during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Architect salary lies between USD 120,000 and USD 198,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Job title: Data Architect

Experience: Senior-level / Expert

Region: United States

Salary year: 2023

Sample size: 168

Top 10%: $ 234,000

Top 25%: $ 198,000

Median: $ 168,100

Bottom 25%: $ 120,000

Bottom 10%: $ 110,000

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Data Architect roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Architect job listings are Architecture, SQL and Engineering. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Data Architect roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Architect job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Data Architect in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 60% to 80%. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s performance and individual contributions, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can make up 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job markets. Industry-wise, tech and finance sectors often offer higher compensation compared to healthcare or education.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level Data Architect position, consider the following strategies:

Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or deep learning, which are in high demand.
Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as Chief Data Officer or Head of Data Science, which typically offer higher salaries.
Consulting: Explore opportunities in consulting, where you can leverage your expertise to advise multiple organizations, often at a premium rate.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML to remain competitive and justify salary increases.
Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and negotiate better compensation packages.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Data Architect positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve complex data modeling and advanced analytics. Advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of data architecture principles and can significantly enhance your qualifications.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can bolster your credentials and demonstrate your expertise:

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)
AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty
Google Professional Data Engineer
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
Cloudera Certified Data Professional

These certifications validate your skills in data management, cloud platforms, and data engineering, making you a more attractive candidate for senior roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Data Architect role requires at least 8-10 years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or related fields. This experience should include a proven track record of designing and implementing complex data systems, leading data projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Experience in AI/ML projects and familiarity with big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka are often essential.

Related salaries

Data Architect @ $ 162,000 (global) - Senior-level / Expert Details

Data Architect @ $ 137,500 (global) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details

Data Architect @ $ 155,000 (global) Details

Data Architect @ $ 140,000 (United States) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details

Data Architect @ $ 162,000 (United States) Details

Data Architect @ $ 98,432 (United Kingdom) - Senior-level / Expert Details

Data Architect @ $ 92,280 (United Kingdom) Details

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