Solutions Architect Salary in USA 2025
Pre-sales, enterprise architecture, and technical sales
Average Solutions Architect Salary
How Much Do Solutions Architects Earn in 2025?
Solutions architects design technical solutions that address business requirements. They work in two primary contexts: pre-sales (supporting sales teams with technical expertise) and enterprise architecture (designing internal systems and infrastructure). Both paths offer excellent compensation.
2025 solutions architect salaries reflect high demand for technical bridge-builders: average $130,000–$175,000, with pre-sales SAs earning $140,000–$200,000 OTE and enterprise architects earning $160,000–$220,000. Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP) add $15,000–$30,000 to base pay.
The role bridges technical depth and business communication—architects translate complex systems into business value. Strong demand across cloud vendors, SaaS companies, and enterprise IT. For context, see jobs that pay $100K and the average salary in the US.
Solutions Architect Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Solutions Architect (Average) | $130,000–$175,000 |
| Pre-Sales SA (OTE) | $140,000–$200,000 |
| Enterprise Architect | $160,000–$220,000 |
| Cloud SA (AWS/Azure/GCP) | $150,000–$200,000 |
| Principal/Staff SA | $180,000–$280,000 |
| Hourly Rate | $65–$110/hour |
Use our salary calculator to convert rates.
Solutions Architect Salary by Role Type
| Role Type | Salary/OTE Range | Compensation Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Sales SA | $140K–$200K OTE | Base + variable (70/30 to 80/20) |
| Solution Engineer | $130K–$180K OTE | Base + variable |
| Enterprise Architect | $160K–$220K | Base + bonus (10–20%) |
| Cloud Solutions Architect | $150K–$200K | Varies by employer |
| Technical Architect | $140K–$190K | Base + bonus |
Pre-Sales Solutions Architect
OTE: $140,000–$200,000 (base $110K–$150K + variable)
Partners with sales teams to provide technical expertise during sales cycles. Conducts demos, POCs, technical discovery, and solution design. Compensation includes variable component tied to sales team performance. High travel, customer-facing role.
Enterprise Architect
Salary: $160,000–$220,000 (base + 10–20% bonus)
Designs enterprise-wide technical strategy, standards, and roadmaps. Internal-facing role with C-suite stakeholder engagement. Less travel, more strategic. Often requires 10+ years experience.
Cloud Solutions Architect (AWS/Azure/GCP)
Salary: $150,000–$200,000
Designs cloud infrastructure and migration strategies. Can be pre-sales (at cloud vendors or partners) or enterprise (internal IT). Cloud certifications essential—Professional level adds $15K–$30K.
Solutions Architect Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Typical Path |
|---|---|---|
| Junior SA (3–5 yrs total) | $100K–$130K | From dev/engineering |
| Solutions Architect (5–8 yrs) | $130K–$165K | Core SA role |
| Senior SA (8–12 yrs) | $155K–$200K | Complex solutions |
| Principal/Staff SA (12+ yrs) | $180K–$250K | Strategic leadership |
| Chief Architect | $220K–$350K+ | Executive level |
Entry Path
Solutions architect is not entry-level. Most come from 5+ years as software engineers, system administrators, or technical consultants. The role requires both technical depth and communication skills that develop over time.
Senior/Principal Solutions Architect
Salary: $180,000–$250,000
Handles largest, most complex opportunities. Influences product roadmap. May manage team of SAs. At cloud vendors (AWS, Microsoft, Google), total comp can reach $300K+.
Solutions Architect Salary by Location
| Location | Salary Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $160K–$230K | +25–35% |
| Seattle, WA | $155K–$220K | +20–30% |
| New York, NY | $150K–$210K | +15–25% |
| Austin, TX | $135K–$185K | +5–15% |
| Remote (US) | $125K–$175K | Variable |
| National Average | $130K–$175K | Baseline |
Remote Work
Many SA roles are remote or hybrid. Pre-sales SAs often travel to customers regardless of home location. Enterprise architects more office-based. Remote SAs earn $125K–$175K typically. See our remote job salary guide.
Solutions Architect Salary by Employer Type
| Employer Type | Salary/OTE Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Vendors (AWS/Azure/GCP) | $160K–$280K TC | Highest pay, equity, brand |
| Enterprise SaaS | $150K–$220K OTE | Pre-sales focus |
| System Integrators | $130K–$180K | Consulting, varied projects |
| Enterprise IT | $140K–$200K | Internal EA roles |
| Consulting Firms | $120K–$175K | Accenture, Deloitte, etc. |
Cloud Vendors (Highest Pay)
Total Comp: $160,000–$280,000+
AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud. Base $140K–$200K + RSUs + bonus. Senior SAs at AWS can earn $250K–$350K+ total comp. Strong product knowledge, certifications required.
Certifications and Salary Impact
| Certification | Salary Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Solutions Architect Professional | +$15K–$30K | Highly valued |
| Azure Solutions Architect Expert | +$12K–$25K | Microsoft ecosystem |
| GCP Professional Architect | +$15K–$28K | Growing demand |
| TOGAF | +$8K–$15K | Enterprise architecture |
| Kubernetes (CKA/CKAD) | +$10K–$20K | Cloud-native |
Cloud certifications are essential for cloud SA roles. Professional-level certs (not just Associate) command the highest premiums.
How to Increase Your Solutions Architect Salary
Target Cloud Vendors
AWS/Azure/GCP SAs earn $160K–$280K+ TC versus general market $130K–$175K.
Get Professional-Level Certifications
AWS SA Professional, Azure Expert, or GCP Professional add $15K–$30K.
Move to Pre-Sales at High-Growth SaaS
Pre-sales OTE $140K–$200K with upside potential if company performs.
Progress to Principal/Chief Architect
Principal SAs earn $180K–$250K, Chief Architects $220K–$350K+.
Relocate to Tech Hubs
SF/Seattle pay $155K–$230K versus national $130K–$175K (+20–35%).
See our salary negotiation guide for strategies.
Career Path and Related Roles
| Career Stage | Position | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Software Engineer/SysAdmin | $80K–$130K |
| Entry SA | Solutions Architect | $120K–$155K |
| Senior | Senior Solutions Architect | $155K–$200K |
| Principal | Principal/Staff SA | $180K–$260K |
| Executive | Chief Architect/VP | $220K–$400K+ |
Related Roles
Cloud Architect: $150,000–$220,000
Account Executive: $150,000–$300,000+ OTE
DevOps Engineer: $110,000–$160,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average solutions architect salary in 2025?
Solutions architects earn $130,000–$175,000 on average. Pre-sales SAs earn $140K–$200K OTE, enterprise architects $160K–$220K, and cloud vendor SAs $160K–$280K+ total comp. Principal-level reaches $180K–$280K.
Can solutions architects make $200K?
Yes. Senior/Principal SAs earn $180K–$260K. Cloud vendor SAs (AWS, Azure, GCP) earn $200K–$300K+ TC. Pre-sales SAs at top SaaS companies can exceed $200K OTE. Enterprise architects at large companies reach $200K+. See jobs that pay $100K.
What's the difference between solutions architect and cloud architect?
Overlap exists. Cloud architects focus specifically on cloud infrastructure design (AWS/Azure/GCP). Solutions architects have broader scope—may include cloud plus on-premises, integration, security, business applications. Pre-sales SAs focus on customer-facing solution design.
How do I become a solutions architect?
Typically requires 5–8+ years experience starting as software engineer, system administrator, or technical consultant. Build broad technical knowledge, earn cloud certifications (AWS SA Professional), develop communication and presentation skills. No direct entry path—experience is prerequisite.
Is solutions architect a good career?
Excellent career for those with both technical depth and communication skills. High demand, strong compensation ($130K–$280K+), varied work, and clear advancement path. Less coding than engineering, more customer/stakeholder interaction. Good work-life balance compared to some tech roles.