Project manager or Software Architect – which one is better?

Question by Panther K: Project manager or Software Architect – which one is better?
I am talking to two companies on the following two job roles:

A Project Manager position where I just have to manage software projects. No actual software development is needed.

A Software Architect position where I would have to create high level design of the project and may be implement some parts of it or guide other developers.

Assuming my interest is same for both the jobs.

Which one would be a smarter career move?

What about money and further career development?

Best answer:

Answer by Jacob
It’s hard to give a good answer, because so much of it depends on you. However, here are some thoughts.

If you go on a Project Manager route, and don’t do any software development, your skills in it could degrade, and you may have a hard time “jumping” back into more technical work if you want to later.

A Project Manager route will likely put you more on a path of management, as you develop some of the skills for such a position more quickly. However, I believe that tends to be the only way to advance career wise and pay wise. In contrast, a good software developer/architect can advance “technically”, and receive better raises and pay as their technical skills mature.

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