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Software Architect IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Architect IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Architect IV in the United States is $145,696 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $70.

However, a Software Architect IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,080
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $134,305 to $155,319
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $123,934
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Architect IV Salaries

A Software Architect IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Architect IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Architect IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Software Architect II (2-4 years): $94,423
  • Software Architect III (4-7 years): $128,676
  • Software Architect IV (7+ years): $145,696
  • Software Architect V (7-10 years): $176,867
  • Software Architect VI (10-12 years): $221,965
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Architect II2-4 years$94,423
Software Architect III4-7 years$128,676
Software Architect IV7+ years$145,696
Software Architect V7-10 years$176,867
Software Architect VI10-12 years$221,965
View as Graph

How Do Software Architect IVs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Architect IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $161,315.
  • California: $160,703.
  • Massachusetts: $158,561.

Top Paying Cities for Software Architect IV

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $183,766
  • San Francisco: $181,754
  • Oakland: $177,924

What Skills Can Increase a Software Architect IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.62% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 3.7% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
  • Enterprise Architecture (Mentioned in 1.65% Job Postings): Conceptualizing and developing blueprints and structures to direct the enterprise architecture in achieving current and future business goals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.62%
Agile 3.7%
Enterprise Architecture 1.65%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Software Architect IV's salary.

  • Architecture Software: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Architecture Software $150,067
3%
Innovation $150,067
3%
Insight $148,610
2%
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Software Architect IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Architect IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $163,098. While startup companies pay approximate $137,977.

Software Architect IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $137,977
Growth Stage 51~500 $145,927
Established 501~5000 $157,500
Enterprise 5000+ $163,098

Software Architect IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Architect IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Architect positions in Transportation or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Architect IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Architect IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$182,120$88.025%
Financial Services$167,550$81.015%
Energy & Utilities$163,180$78.012%
Internet$163,180$78.012%
Software & Networking$157,352$76.08%

How Education impacts an Software Architect IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Architect IV enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Software Architect IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $145,673 and $154,268.

Software Architect IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Architect IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 4.0%
Associates 2.6%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 40.7%
Doctorate 2.0%
View as Graph

Software Architect IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Architect IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$134,305
Average $145,696/year
$155,319
$11,192
Average $12,141/month
$12,943
$2,583
Average $2,802/week
$2,987
$65
Average $70/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $155,319 $12,943 $2,987 $75
Average $145,696 $12,141 $2,802 $70
25th Percentile $134,305 $11,192 $2,583 $65

Software Architect IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Architect IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software Architect IV, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Applications Programmer V $166,905 15%
Software Architect V $176,867 21%
Backend Developer V $151,013 4%
Midrange Programmer V $143,755 -1%

Most common benefits for Software Architect IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Software Architect IV

Here are companies hiring for Software Architect IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Architect IV

1. Where can a Software Architect IV earn the most?

A Software Architect IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Software Architect IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Architect IV is $183,766.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Architect IV?

The highest pay for Software Architect IV is $164,080.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Architect IV?

The lowest pay for Software Architect IV is $123,934.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Architect IV?

Responsible for the structural design and development of new software systems or extensive software revisions for external customers. Analyzes software requirements and defines system components to ensure efficient and scalable software architecture. Designs and implements software solutions to consider business and technical needs and ensures compatibility with existing systems. Creates and maintains architecture documentation such as design specifications and diagrams to guide future maintenance and development. Works with non-technical stakeholders to analyze requirements and understand constraints, dependencies, and business needs. Has in-depth knowledge of software development processes and methodologies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Architect IV?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Architect IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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