What Does an Enterprise Architect Do? 2026 Career Guide

Key takeaways

Organizations need enterprise architects to help guide them through their digital transformation plans and establish and maintain their IT hardware and software needs. As an enterprise architect, you regularly assess organizational requirements and identify ways to improve processes, which requires you to stay updated on the latest technological trends. Some important things to know are:

• As an enterprise architect, you’ll maintain an organization’s information technology (IT) networks and services, ensuring they align with its overall strategy.

• Enterprise architects work heavily with enterprise data, but the job also includes working in the cloud and with SQL.

• An enterprise architect works in the IT department in various industries.

If this sounds like the kind of role that would suit you well, continue reading and explore the path to becoming an enterprise architect, including requirements, training needs, available certifications, potential salary, and more. 

What is an enterprise architect?

As an enterprise architect, you’ll maintain an organization’s information technology (IT) networks and services and ensure they align with its overall strategy. In this increasingly important role, you’ll oversee, improve, and upgrade enterprise services, software, and hardware. 

In addition to those critical functions, you’ll remain knowledgeable about the latest trends and technologies, ensuring the organization invests in the right technology. You’ll also monitor for software, services, and hardware that may help improve the organization’s processes and present these options to stakeholders.

What does an enterprise architect do?

As an enterprise architect, you’ll work heavily with enterprise data, but your job will also include working in the cloud and with SQL. On top of these technical responsibilities, you’ll also encounter business-focused tasks, such as strategizing, meeting business visions and goals, cost analysis and reduction, and more. 

Enterprise architect tasks and responsibilities

Working as an enterprise architect will require completing many tasks and handling many responsibilities. These may vary by organization, but some everyday tasks include:

• Coordinating a team and delegating responsibilities

• Improving a company's IT infrastructure

• Assess and improve company-wide aspects like organizational structure and processes. 

• Testing software

• Developing and coordinating enterprise architecture

• Understanding a business's initiatives and IT strategies with it    

Where does an enterprise architect work? 

An enterprise architect works in the IT department in various industries. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the leading sectors employing computer network architects, including enterprise architects, and the percentage working in each include the following [1]: 

• Computer systems design and related services: 26 percent

• Telecommunications: 10 percent

• Management of companies and enterprises: 8 percent

• Insurance carriers and related activities: 5 percent

• Educational services: state, local, and private: 5 percent

What skills do you need to work as an enterprise architect?  

To work as an enterprise architect, you must develop a broad range of skills. Some essential technical skills to develop to help you become a successful enterprise architect include:

• Cloud computing

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Modeling

• Graphical representation

• Enterprise applications

You’ll also need fine-tuned workplace skills, such as analytical thinking, organizational skills, negotiation, and communication.

Enterprise architect salary

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total annual pay for enterprise architects in the US is $210,610 [2]. This figure includes an average base salary of $151,109 and $59,501 in additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses.

How to become an enterprise architect

Becoming an enterprise architect involves obtaining the right education, learning on the job, and potentially earning certifications. With the guidance below, your path to becoming an enterprise architect is relatively straightforward.

1. Earn your degree.

Organizations typically look for enterprise architects with at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, including computer science, business, or data science. According to Zippia, 67.2 percent of people with this job title hold a bachelor’s degree, 23.3 have a master's, and 5 percent have an associate degree [3].

2. Gain experience.

Once you’ve gotten the necessary education, it’s time to earn experience in related fields before you’re ready to slip into an enterprise architect role. Organizations typically seek a candidate with five to seven years of related experience. Enterprise architects often get their start in the software side as developers, software engineers, or programmers, but some also start as systems analysts or lower-level architects. 

3. Consider certifications or coursework.

Demonstrating your competency as an enterprise architect through certifications can significantly enhance your job prospects and lead to increased compensation over time. Consider the following certifications that may help you excel in an enterprise architect role: 

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP)

• Certified System Architect (CSA)

• EACOE Enterprise Architect certifications

• ITIL Foundation certification

• ITIL v3 Master certification

• Red Hat Certified Architect

• Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)

• The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)

Read more: Your Guide to AWS Certification

Learn more with our free resources.

Exploring a career in IT or software development? Stay updated on the latest career trends with our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! Take the quiz below, or browse our other free resources:

• Take the Quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Watch on YouTube: What Is a Cloud Architect? High-Paying Tech Career Explained or Exploring IT Career Paths: Your Guide to a Rewarding Tech Future

• See where to start: How to Start Learning Software Development: A Custom Course Guide

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