School principal salary
BLS occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary · also called K-12 education administrator · Management · data for May 2025
Median salary $105,870 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $86,040–$134,630 25th to 75th percentile
School principals employed 328,330 −0.3% projected by 2035
How much does a school principal make?
- The median school principal salary in the US is $105,870 a year: half of the 328,330 school principals BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $116,100.
- The middle half earn between $86,040 and $134,630. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $76,280 and the top 10% more than $167,770.
- That is 2.1 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays school principals the most (median $166,590), followed by California ($159,950) and Connecticut ($156,240). West Virginia pays the least ($80,650).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $155,673 in typical US prices, then Connecticut and California.
- In 374 of the 377 metro areas with data, the median school principal salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of school principals to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 20,600 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what school principals are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
School principal salary range
Half of school principals earn between $86,040 and $134,630 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $76,280
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $86,040
Median Yearly pay: $105,870
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $134,630
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $167,770
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $76,280 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $86,040 |
| Median | $105,870 |
| Top 25% earn over | $134,630 |
| Top 10% earn over | $167,770 |
School principal salary by state
Washington pays school principals the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($105,870), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $166,590 median |
| California | $159,950 median |
| Connecticut | $156,240 median |
| New York | $138,830 median |
| District of Columbia | $137,470 median |
| New Jersey | $137,440 median |
| Delaware | $132,710 median |
| Maryland | $131,510 median |
| Oregon | $130,050 median |
| Utah | $128,880 median |
| Massachusetts | $128,430 median |
| Minnesota | $127,000 median |
| Hawaii | $126,760 median |
| Alaska | $125,520 median |
| Rhode Island | $119,980 median |
| Pennsylvania | $118,710 median |
| Wisconsin | $117,010 median |
| Illinois | $113,360 median |
| Nebraska | $110,580 median |
| Colorado | $110,530 median |
| Nevada | $109,420 median |
| North Dakota | $107,940 median |
| New Mexico | $107,720 median |
| Virginia | $106,100 median |
| Wyoming | $105,480 median |
| Vermont | $105,350 median |
| New Hampshire | $104,910 median |
| Iowa | $104,260 median |
| Michigan | $104,020 median |
| Georgia | $103,360 median |
| Maine | $102,890 median |
| South Carolina | $102,440 median |
| Idaho | $101,090 median |
| Kansas | $100,530 median |
| Missouri | $100,400 median |
| Kentucky | $99,920 median |
| Ohio | $99,590 median |
| Indiana | $98,770 median |
| Tennessee | $97,590 median |
| Alabama | $97,480 median |
| Arizona | $97,480 median |
| Florida | $96,490 median |
| Montana | $95,700 median |
| Texas | $93,910 median |
| South Dakota | $88,390 median |
| Oklahoma | $86,630 median |
| Arkansas | $86,330 median |
| Louisiana | $83,360 median |
| North Carolina | $83,180 median |
| Mississippi | $82,800 median |
| West Virginia | $80,650 median |
Where school principal pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
School principals' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $155,673 |
| Connecticut | $150,796 |
| California | $144,464 |
| Delaware | $132,965 |
| Utah | $130,361 |
| Minnesota | $128,776 |
| New York | $128,640 |
| New Jersey | $126,318 |
| Oregon | $125,821 |
| Maryland | $125,297 |
School principal pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $166,590 | $111,830 | $205,500 | 6,470 | $155,673 |
| California | $159,950 | $103,250 | $202,380 | 31,370 | $144,464 |
| Connecticut | $156,240 | $86,840 | $194,310 | 4,610 | $150,796 |
| New York | $138,830 | $87,100 | $200,380 | 19,210 | $128,640 |
| District of Columbia | $137,470 | $100,350 | $176,490 | 1,930 | $125,085 |
| New Jersey | $137,440 | $103,030 | $188,060 | 11,450 | $126,318 |
| Delaware | $132,710 | $101,350 | $152,520 | 1,100 | $132,965 |
| Maryland | $131,510 | $81,060 | $172,170 | 7,200 | $125,297 |
| Oregon | $130,050 | $76,240 | $165,060 | 4,160 | $125,821 |
| Utah | $128,880 | $79,220 | $161,920 | 2,940 | $130,361 |
| Massachusetts | $128,430 | $81,640 | $166,240 | 10,570 | $121,439 |
| Minnesota | $127,000 | $78,570 | $166,270 | 4,120 | $128,776 |
| Hawaii | $126,760 | $85,880 | $168,760 | 1,910 | $115,288 |
| Alaska | $125,520 | $102,930 | $133,330 | 890 | $122,627 |
| Rhode Island | $119,980 | $80,530 | $150,300 | 1,160 | $117,305 |
| Pennsylvania | $118,710 | $78,490 | $161,140 | 14,460 | $121,664 |
| Wisconsin | $117,010 | $82,010 | $140,520 | 4,030 | $124,353 |
| Illinois | $113,360 | $78,070 | $169,400 | 14,850 | $113,408 |
| Nebraska | $110,580 | $85,370 | $156,580 | 1,860 | $122,726 |
| Colorado | $110,530 | $81,340 | $160,940 | 5,760 | $107,257 |
| Nevada | $109,420 | $62,980 | $136,040 | 2,490 | $109,443 |
| North Dakota | $107,940 | $81,010 | $155,860 | 810 | $121,337 |
| New Mexico | $107,720 | $83,860 | $133,580 | 2,290 | $116,818 |
| Virginia | $106,100 | $78,300 | $164,320 | 8,470 | $104,941 |
| Wyoming | $105,480 | $85,510 | $126,400 | 410 | $113,797 |
| Vermont | $105,350 | $76,900 | $134,570 | 1,000 | $107,546 |
| New Hampshire | $104,910 | $80,220 | $129,840 | 1,590 | $100,715 |
| Iowa | $104,260 | $77,350 | $154,000 | 3,310 | $118,799 |
| Michigan | $104,020 | $77,340 | $134,430 | 9,610 | $108,110 |
| Georgia | $103,360 | $81,440 | $135,990 | 7,530 | $107,339 |
| Maine | $102,890 | $79,850 | $128,750 | 1,710 | $106,018 |
| South Carolina | $102,440 | $75,810 | $134,490 | 5,000 | $109,270 |
| Idaho | $101,090 | $76,290 | $128,320 | 1,830 | $105,860 |
| Kansas | $100,530 | $77,520 | $127,470 | 2,520 | $111,616 |
| Missouri | $100,400 | $74,570 | $133,090 | 7,120 | $110,552 |
| Kentucky | $99,920 | $75,270 | $130,310 | 4,940 | $110,826 |
| Ohio | $99,590 | $62,160 | $129,160 | 12,480 | $107,347 |
| Indiana | $98,770 | $66,440 | $132,400 | 6,990 | $105,830 |
| Tennessee | $97,590 | $70,960 | $134,630 | 6,180 | $106,226 |
| Alabama | $97,480 | $76,150 | $123,070 | 3,020 | $109,746 |
| Arizona | $97,480 | $62,690 | $128,320 | 5,270 | $96,824 |
| Florida | $96,490 | $61,030 | $130,650 | 16,960 | $93,305 |
| Montana | $95,700 | $63,960 | $127,800 | 930 | $101,115 |
| Texas | $93,910 | $72,230 | $128,700 | 37,140 | $96,758 |
| South Dakota | $88,390 | $74,770 | $109,270 | 680 | $99,779 |
| Oklahoma | $86,630 | $62,300 | $125,130 | 4,320 | $98,619 |
| Arkansas | $86,330 | $68,090 | $107,410 | 2,760 | $99,302 |
| Louisiana | $83,360 | $63,470 | $123,320 | 5,080 | $94,505 |
| North Carolina | $83,180 | $63,240 | $121,380 | 11,220 | $88,184 |
| Mississippi | $82,800 | $65,400 | $106,450 | 3,170 | $95,224 |
| West Virginia | $80,650 | $57,740 | $97,350 | 1,480 | $90,115 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
School principal salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes school principal pay: 381 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Seattle, WA $174,260
- Bridgeport, CT $171,910
- Mount Vernon, WA $170,970
- Bellingham, WA $169,470
- Bremerton, WA $168,540
- Olympia, WA $166,910
- San Jose, CA $165,520
- New York, NY $163,210
- San Diego, CA $163,200
- Wenatchee, WA $163,170
Where the pay goes furthest
- Mount Vernon, WA $166,893
- Longview, WA $166,251
- El Centro, CA $164,698
- Bellingham, WA $164,002
- Visalia, CA $163,416
- Kennewick, WA $161,402
- Olympia, WA $161,001
- Bridgeport, CT $160,868
- Merced, CA $159,939
- Bremerton, WA $159,592
All 381 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $174,260 | 3,360 | $156,803 | 15% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $171,910 | 1,170 | $160,868 | 20% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $170,970 | 120 | $166,893 | 15% |
| Bellingham, WA | $169,470 | 180 | $164,002 | 14% |
| Bremerton, WA | $168,540 | 200 | $159,592 | 15% |
| Olympia, WA | $166,910 | 270 | $161,001 | 15% |
| San Jose, CA | $165,520 | 1,730 | $149,896 | 28% |
| New York, NY | $163,210 | 20,920 | $144,994 | 26% |
| San Diego, CA | $163,200 | 2,370 | $145,861 | 22% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $163,170 | 120 | $157,113 | 13% |
| Vallejo, CA | $163,150 | 290 | $150,398 | 18% |
| Visalia, CA | $163,130 | 520 | $163,416 | 13% |
| Longview, WA | $162,170 | 80 | $166,251 | 10% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $161,590 | 10,310 | $142,287 | 22% |
| Salinas, CA | $161,590 | 350 | $148,191 | 21% |
| Kennewick, WA | $161,530 | 290 | $161,402 | 13% |
| Riverside, CA | $161,380 | 3,340 | $151,613 | 19% |
| San Francisco, CA | $160,820 | 3,480 | $139,102 | 26% |
| Modesto, CA | $160,240 | 460 | $153,917 | 15% |
| New Haven, CT | $160,050 | 710 | $153,071 | 15% |
| Hanford, CA | $159,950 | 140 | $157,413 | 15% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $159,950 | 360 | $147,016 | 25% |
| Napa, CA | $159,660 | 120 | $141,852 | 22% |
| Oxnard, CA | $159,120 | 610 | $143,956 | 22% |
| Sacramento, CA | $157,750 | 1,860 | $147,886 | 17% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $157,630 | 230 | $143,436 | 26% |
| Yuba City, CA | $157,540 | 180 | $151,142 | 15% |
| Merced, CA | $157,180 | 260 | $159,939 | 16% |
| El Centro, CA | $156,750 | 170 | $164,698 | 14% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $155,780 | 360 | $144,530 | 21% |
| Stockton, CA | $155,770 | 700 | $148,227 | 19% |
| Norwich, CT | $155,350 | 310 | $154,662 | 16% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $154,410 | 800 | $153,054 | 14% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $152,560 | 170 | $140,484 | 22% |
| Yakima, WA | $151,280 | 300 | $158,334 | 11% |
| Spokane, WA | $144,210 | 490 | $143,713 | 13% |
| Portland, OR | $143,170 | 2,280 | $135,808 | 15% |
| Hartford, CT | $142,000 | 1,550 | $138,205 | 17% |
| Trenton, NJ | $141,580 | 610 | $137,217 | 21% |
| Bismarck, ND | $139,710 | 120 | $153,487 | 11% |
| Chico, CA | $139,600 | 170 | $137,949 | 13% |
| Waterbury, CT | $137,710 | 450 | $138,016 | – |
| Walla Walla, WA | $137,660 | 40 | $139,729 | 13% |
| Kingston, NY | $137,220 | 150 | $136,254 | 18% |
| Boulder, CO | $136,330 | 360 | $129,589 | 19% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $136,210 | 700 | $124,481 | 20% |
| Fresno, CA | $134,720 | 1,190 | $131,874 | 18% |
| Washington, DC | $134,490 | 7,510 | $123,517 | 21% |
| Redding, CA | $134,020 | 150 | $133,110 | 15% |
| Eugene, OR | $132,470 | 330 | $130,425 | 16% |
| Kahului, HI | $132,160 | 200 | $120,812 | 29% |
| Baltimore, MD | $131,880 | 3,850 | $126,217 | 18% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $131,590 | 280 | $130,122 | 18% |
| Anchorage, AK | $131,210 | 360 | $124,464 | 17% |
| Boston, MA | $131,080 | 7,260 | $121,072 | 27% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $130,880 | 480 | $132,393 | 19% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $130,760 | 1,000 | $129,635 | 15% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $130,650 | 2,770 | $124,640 | 16% |
| Salem, OR | $130,500 | 420 | $125,906 | 15% |
| Provo, UT | $130,320 | 770 | $132,666 | 16% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $129,130 | 7,890 | $125,914 | 18% |
| Barnstable, MA | $129,050 | 290 | $131,214 | 24% |
| Chicago, IL | $128,780 | 11,050 | $124,311 | 20% |
| Lincoln, NE | $128,640 | 210 | $140,466 | 12% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $128,380 | 80 | $131,322 | 15% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $127,810 | 220 | $126,846 | 19% |
| Vineland, NJ | $127,760 | 200 | $133,128 | 15% |
| Dover, DE | $127,650 | 290 | $130,914 | 17% |
| Mankato, MN | $127,590 | 50 | $140,278 | 12% |
| Corvallis, OR | $127,470 | 70 | $122,547 | 17% |
| Bend, OR | $127,220 | 290 | $122,791 | 21% |
| Ogden, UT | $126,760 | 520 | $126,319 | 15% |
| Honolulu, HI | $126,670 | 1,380 | $114,157 | 29% |
| Madison, WI | $126,320 | 440 | $129,843 | 17% |
| Albany, OR | $125,910 | 130 | $123,320 | 16% |
| Albany, NY | $125,480 | 770 | $126,027 | 16% |
| Pueblo, CO | $125,090 | 170 | $136,320 | 13% |
| Buffalo, NY | $124,990 | 970 | $130,410 | 14% |
| Greeley, CO | $124,850 | 310 | $124,631 | 16% |
| St. George, UT | $124,060 | 130 | $127,475 | 18% |
| State College, PA | $123,640 | 110 | $127,777 | 19% |
| Green Bay, WI | $123,440 | 200 | $132,609 | 11% |
| Salisbury, MD | $123,350 | 150 | $129,004 | 19% |
| Duluth, MN | $123,090 | 170 | $138,665 | 13% |
| Medford, OR | $123,090 | 190 | $121,351 | 18% |
| Janesville, WI | $123,000 | 100 | $131,266 | 13% |
| Allentown, PA | $122,700 | 920 | $122,739 | 18% |
| Kenosha, WI | $122,520 | 100 | $121,165 | – |
| Logan, UT | $122,370 | 140 | $127,566 | 14% |
| York, PA | $122,130 | 380 | $127,219 | 14% |
| Omaha, NE | $121,950 | 940 | $132,683 | 14% |
| Ithaca, NY | $121,910 | 70 | $117,996 | 20% |
| La Crosse, WI | $121,780 | 120 | $132,703 | 13% |
| Providence, RI | $121,410 | 1,890 | $119,295 | 21% |
| Denver, CO | $121,130 | 2,880 | $114,509 | 19% |
| Racine, WI | $120,830 | 120 | $125,916 | 14% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $120,570 | 90 | $129,930 | 11% |
| Worcester, MA | $120,480 | 1,270 | $117,515 | 21% |
| Lebanon, PA | $120,080 | 120 | $128,822 | 15% |
| Utica, NY | $119,700 | 240 | $129,157 | 14% |
| Burlington, VT | $119,390 | 270 | $118,268 | 26% |
| Appleton, WI | $118,390 | 170 | $128,101 | 12% |
| Rochester, MN | $118,320 | 160 | $130,278 | 16% |
| Des Moines, IA | $117,980 | 850 | $128,657 | 13% |
| Lewiston, ID | $117,340 | 50 | $128,719 | 15% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $116,350 | 100 | $125,203 | 13% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $115,990 | – | $119,655 | 16% |
| Louisville, KY | $115,400 | 1,380 | $123,987 | 14% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $115,190 | 140 | $116,628 | 20% |
| Portland, ME | $113,160 | 590 | $111,096 | 24% |
| Williamsport, PA | $113,000 | 120 | $122,361 | 12% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $112,900 | 80 | $130,275 | 12% |
| Fargo, ND | $112,600 | 210 | $123,912 | 12% |
| Lafayette, IN | $111,470 | 140 | $119,309 | 16% |
| Brunswick, GA | $110,850 | 110 | $126,385 | 18% |
| Midland, MI | $110,310 | 80 | $120,005 | 15% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $110,250 | 100 | $115,591 | 15% |
| Lexington, KY | $110,210 | 620 | $118,647 | 17% |
| Detroit, MI | $110,160 | 3,740 | $109,833 | 16% |
| Lancaster, PA | $110,040 | 460 | $111,992 | 17% |
| Syracuse, NY | $110,010 | 760 | $114,903 | 18% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $109,880 | 50 | $119,900 | 12% |
| Grand Island, NE | $109,460 | 80 | $126,314 | 15% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $109,420 | 1,690 | $109,185 | 19% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $109,350 | 140 | $114,531 | 19% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $109,350 | 100 | $116,312 | 15% |
| Reading, PA | $109,050 | 420 | $112,353 | 17% |
| Binghamton, NY | $109,030 | 210 | $117,410 | 18% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $108,950 | 100 | $114,846 | 16% |
| Springfield, IL | $108,460 | 300 | $116,944 | 13% |
| Casper, WY | $108,060 | 50 | $115,167 | 16% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $107,950 | 870 | $112,982 | 17% |
| St. Louis, MO | $107,640 | 3,010 | $113,200 | 16% |
| Elmira, NY | $106,800 | 90 | $113,138 | 13% |
| Sebastian, FL | $106,670 | 140 | $108,506 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $106,560 | 500 | $104,045 | 24% |
| Ames, IA | $106,520 | 90 | $119,914 | 13% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $106,360 | 800 | $105,613 | 20% |
| Springfield, MA | $106,210 | 800 | $110,565 | 22% |
| Minot, ND | $106,040 | 70 | $121,846 | 14% |
| Wausau, WI | $105,910 | 90 | $114,311 | 11% |
| Rochester, NY | $105,820 | 1,200 | $109,053 | 17% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $105,700 | 2,350 | $111,650 | 17% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $105,580 | 280 | $117,035 | 17% |
| Davenport, IA | $105,470 | 360 | $118,401 | 11% |
| Atlanta, GA | $105,270 | 4,160 | $105,209 | 21% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $105,260 | 140 | $112,231 | 17% |
| Kansas City, MO | $105,230 | 2,360 | $113,709 | 17% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $105,200 | 240 | $104,945 | – |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $105,200 | 290 | $118,251 | 14% |
| Owensboro, KY | $105,090 | 110 | $118,598 | 14% |
| Watertown, NY | $105,050 | 100 | $119,797 | 17% |
| Hinesville, GA | $104,990 | 60 | $111,771 | 20% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $104,960 | 110 | $110,610 | 19% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $104,860 | 150 | $119,659 | 14% |
| Athens, GA | $104,770 | 150 | $112,242 | 20% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $104,770 | 200 | $110,470 | 15% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $104,690 | 490 | $114,460 | 17% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $104,660 | 170 | $115,479 | 15% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $104,570 | 150 | $106,386 | 21% |
| Saginaw, MI | $104,410 | 220 | $114,874 | 12% |
| Richmond, VA | $104,380 | 1,230 | $106,665 | 20% |
| Sioux City, IA | $104,380 | 140 | $120,735 | 15% |
| Charleston, SC | $104,370 | 700 | $103,376 | 23% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $104,360 | 190 | $111,446 | 20% |
| Reno, NV | $104,250 | 530 | $103,204 | 24% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $104,140 | 350 | $103,232 | 22% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $104,050 | 1,590 | $106,237 | 22% |
| Lansing, MI | $104,020 | 440 | $109,505 | 15% |
| Manchester, NH | $103,980 | 400 | $98,413 | 25% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $103,850 | 820 | $105,271 | 17% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $103,780 | 150 | $109,655 | 15% |
| Decatur, IL | $103,730 | 120 | $117,312 | 12% |
| Savannah, GA | $103,650 | 270 | $108,869 | 21% |
| Helena, MT | $103,530 | 70 | $108,210 | 19% |
| Farmington, NM | $103,520 | 190 | $118,029 | 16% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $103,440 | 510 | $113,231 | 18% |
| Iowa City, IA | $103,420 | 160 | $113,016 | 20% |
| Scranton, PA | $103,240 | 550 | $110,351 | 16% |
| Waterloo, IA | $103,180 | 160 | $118,520 | 12% |
| Lewiston, ME | $103,130 | 130 | $108,860 | 18% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $103,070 | 280 | $103,958 | 24% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $103,020 | 2,330 | $108,021 | 18% |
| Dubuque, IA | $102,660 | 90 | $117,557 | 12% |
| Jackson, MI | $102,630 | 170 | $111,823 | 14% |
| Bloomington, IL | $102,590 | 170 | $109,679 | 15% |
| Wichita, KS | $102,480 | 520 | $115,216 | 14% |
| Evansville, IN | $102,460 | 260 | $111,944 | 13% |
| Rome, GA | $102,450 | 70 | $113,630 | 15% |
| Dayton, OH | $102,400 | 740 | $110,471 | 15% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $102,400 | 2,410 | $107,006 | 18% |
| Traverse City, MI | $102,390 | 130 | $109,658 | 22% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $102,280 | 200 | $104,349 | 23% |
| Flint, MI | $102,220 | 360 | $109,874 | 12% |
| Winchester, VA | $102,120 | 150 | $105,879 | 21% |
| Naples, FL | $101,980 | 240 | $98,818 | 31% |
| Columbia, SC | $101,830 | 960 | $108,721 | 18% |
| Greenville, SC | $101,820 | 850 | $109,179 | 18% |
| Tampa, FL | $101,730 | 2,030 | $100,833 | 23% |
| Johnstown, PA | $101,720 | 130 | $118,377 | 10% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $101,680 | 1,400 | $106,420 | 19% |
| Champaign, IL | $101,570 | 270 | $109,564 | 16% |
| Huntsville, AL | $101,570 | 300 | $109,131 | 16% |
| Miami, FL | $101,520 | 4,540 | $88,932 | 31% |
| Dallas, TX | $101,450 | 9,190 | $98,409 | 20% |
| Boise, ID | $101,440 | 750 | $103,099 | 23% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $101,420 | 240 | $106,639 | 21% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $101,300 | 310 | $101,070 | 27% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $101,280 | 320 | $107,549 | 19% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $101,150 | 130 | $111,679 | 15% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $101,100 | 80 | $117,928 | 15% |
| Akron, OH | $101,070 | 790 | $108,247 | 16% |
| Columbus, OH | $101,000 | 2,140 | $105,794 | 18% |
| Altoona, PA | $100,790 | 130 | $112,606 | 12% |
| Monroe, MI | $100,740 | 160 | $107,753 | 15% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $100,700 | 170 | $111,667 | 14% |
| Bangor, ME | $100,640 | 180 | $104,282 | 18% |
| Peoria, IL | $100,640 | 430 | $110,313 | 14% |
| Springfield, MO | $100,590 | 530 | $113,552 | 15% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $100,570 | 180 | $106,522 | 17% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $100,460 | 140 | $110,955 | 14% |
| Daphne, AL | $100,450 | 150 | $106,083 | 20% |
| Florence, SC | $100,450 | 230 | $115,760 | 18% |
| Birmingham, AL | $100,410 | 680 | $109,565 | 17% |
| Nashville, TN | $100,410 | 1,860 | $104,227 | 22% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $100,380 | 160 | $114,430 | 20% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $100,290 | 60 | $103,937 | 18% |
| Yuma, AZ | $100,290 | 130 | $108,181 | 17% |
| Toledo, OH | $100,140 | 700 | $109,496 | 15% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $100,060 | 440 | $108,089 | 15% |
| Gainesville, GA | $100,060 | 140 | $103,404 | 20% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $100,000 | 400 | $109,829 | 18% |
| Rockford, IL | $99,980 | 440 | $108,492 | 16% |
| Knoxville, TN | $99,950 | 760 | $107,974 | 21% |
| Auburn, AL | $99,870 | 90 | $113,575 | 19% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $99,810 | 1,060 | $109,947 | 16% |
| Canton, OH | $99,810 | 390 | $111,637 | 14% |
| Muskegon, MI | $99,780 | 180 | $107,848 | 15% |
| Cleveland, TN | $99,640 | 100 | $113,124 | 17% |
| Houston, TX | $99,640 | 8,370 | $101,025 | 20% |
| Bozeman, MT | $99,540 | 80 | $97,103 | 27% |
| Dalton, GA | $99,490 | 120 | $110,736 | 17% |
| Houma, LA | $99,490 | 160 | $116,905 | 16% |
| Kankakee, IL | $99,470 | 130 | $103,191 | 16% |
| Mobile, AL | $99,460 | 230 | $112,897 | 15% |
| Niles, MI | $99,430 | 160 | $107,643 | 17% |
| Bay City, MI | $99,390 | 100 | $108,125 | 12% |
| Augusta, GA | $99,360 | 450 | $108,114 | 18% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $99,290 | 3,630 | $96,103 | 21% |
| Pocatello, ID | $99,250 | 70 | $111,635 | 13% |
| Cleveland, OH | $99,230 | 2,440 | $105,650 | 17% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $99,210 | 130 | $107,011 | 20% |
| Crestview, FL | $98,920 | 190 | $101,947 | 24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $98,680 | 1,980 | $100,533 | 20% |
| Albany, GA | $98,620 | 110 | $112,491 | 13% |
| Roanoke, VA | $98,470 | 350 | $105,183 | 17% |
| Memphis, TN | $98,390 | 1,310 | $106,738 | 17% |
| Topeka, KS | $98,260 | 240 | $110,628 | 15% |
| Columbus, GA | $98,210 | 210 | $109,983 | 17% |
| Erie, PA | $98,190 | – | $107,960 | 14% |
| Columbus, IN | $98,160 | 90 | $105,545 | 17% |
| Paducah, KY | $98,130 | 110 | $113,993 | 14% |
| Florence, AL | $97,940 | 90 | $115,472 | 13% |
| Dothan, AL | $97,800 | 90 | $116,661 | 15% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $97,680 | 120 | $106,049 | 19% |
| Clarksville, TN | $97,590 | 270 | $107,304 | 17% |
| Decatur, AL | $97,540 | 100 | $111,842 | 13% |
| Lima, OH | $97,240 | 120 | $108,443 | 15% |
| Deltona, FL | $97,070 | 420 | $97,688 | 22% |
| Sherman, TX | $96,960 | 180 | $103,401 | 17% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $96,860 | 100 | $112,526 | 13% |
| Joplin, MO | $96,810 | 220 | $112,940 | 15% |
| Springfield, OH | $96,750 | 150 | $106,927 | 15% |
| Kokomo, IN | $96,730 | 80 | $107,900 | 14% |
| Youngstown, OH | $96,710 | 390 | $110,660 | 13% |
| Staunton, VA | $96,610 | 120 | $106,016 | 18% |
| Michigan City, IN | $96,590 | 110 | $105,353 | 15% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $96,530 | 1,390 | $106,772 | 17% |
| Missoula, MT | $96,500 | 80 | $100,057 | 20% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $96,420 | 190 | $112,262 | 13% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $96,390 | 130 | $111,586 | 12% |
| Rapid City, SD | $96,370 | 90 | $108,087 | 18% |
| Sandusky, OH | $96,260 | 150 | $107,817 | 23% |
| Ocala, FL | $96,140 | 280 | $100,951 | 20% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $95,690 | 210 | $107,080 | 16% |
| Columbia, MO | $95,600 | 220 | $106,890 | 18% |
| Macon, GA | $95,510 | 170 | $107,887 | 15% |
| Morristown, TN | $95,430 | 80 | $110,497 | 20% |
| Kingsport, TN | $95,420 | 200 | $110,380 | 17% |
| Odessa, TX | $95,190 | 200 | $101,378 | 20% |
| Greensboro, NC | $95,130 | 860 | $102,439 | 18% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $95,100 | 490 | $92,917 | 23% |
| Amarillo, TX | $95,070 | 310 | $103,540 | 17% |
| Valdosta, GA | $95,000 | 100 | $107,623 | 17% |
| Great Falls, MT | $94,940 | 60 | $98,033 | 18% |
| Montgomery, AL | $94,750 | 250 | $105,651 | 18% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $94,720 | 140 | $107,885 | 12% |
| Muncie, IN | $94,500 | 90 | $107,206 | 13% |
| Mansfield, OH | $94,260 | 160 | $106,063 | 11% |
| Enid, OK | $94,210 | 60 | $111,797 | 14% |
| Sumter, SC | $92,920 | 90 | $105,567 | 19% |
| South Bend, IN | $92,660 | 370 | $99,787 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $92,590 | 130 | $97,377 | 23% |
| Gadsden, AL | $92,140 | 60 | $107,574 | 14% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $91,520 | 180 | $102,242 | 17% |
| Johnson City, TN | $90,390 | 150 | $102,800 | 20% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $90,260 | 160 | $102,178 | 25% |
| Durham, NC | $89,750 | 710 | $91,983 | 22% |
| Charlotte, NC | $89,170 | 2,780 | $91,599 | 23% |
| Gulfport, MS | $89,120 | 370 | $99,016 | 19% |
| McAllen, TX | $88,910 | 1,450 | $103,510 | 15% |
| Laredo, TX | $88,620 | 320 | $101,914 | 15% |
| Tucson, AZ | $88,510 | 740 | $91,345 | 20% |
| Weirton, WV | $88,020 | 110 | $98,872 | 11% |
| Greenville, NC | $87,960 | 160 | $99,500 | 20% |
| Tulsa, OK | $87,810 | 1,110 | $98,426 | 19% |
| Little Rock, AR | $87,270 | 760 | $97,657 | 17% |
| Austin, TX | $86,580 | 2,600 | $88,287 | 22% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $86,430 | 120 | $100,645 | 17% |
| New Orleans, LA | $86,320 | 1,210 | $93,221 | 22% |
| Midland, TX | $86,210 | 240 | $90,006 | 22% |
| El Paso, TX | $85,960 | 960 | $95,605 | 21% |
| Jackson, TN | $85,910 | 240 | $100,454 | 19% |
| Jackson, MS | $85,890 | 660 | $96,454 | 21% |
| The Villages, FL | $85,550 | 60 | $100,147 | 24% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,110 | 150 | $96,743 | 14% |
| San Antonio, TX | $85,070 | 3,660 | $89,816 | 20% |
| Huntington, WV | $85,010 | 360 | $96,141 | 15% |
| Manhattan, KS | $84,910 | 100 | $94,175 | 18% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $84,410 | 250 | $98,320 | 19% |
| Lubbock, TX | $84,310 | 500 | $92,327 | 19% |
| Longview, TX | $84,060 | 420 | $93,938 | 16% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $83,540 | 110 | $83,269 | 31% |
| Wheeling, WV | $83,510 | 130 | $94,551 | 12% |
| Anniston, AL | $83,320 | 80 | $96,941 | 14% |
| Pensacola, FL | $83,280 | 400 | $85,226 | 25% |
| Lawrence, KS | $83,240 | 90 | $92,240 | 23% |
| Waco, TX | $82,950 | 430 | $89,627 | 21% |
| Wilmington, NC | $82,930 | 310 | $86,007 | 25% |
| Abilene, TX | $82,910 | 210 | $91,751 | 29% |
| Beaumont, TX | $82,830 | 620 | $91,986 | 19% |
| Shreveport, LA | $82,570 | 400 | $97,409 | 19% |
| Gainesville, FL | $82,530 | 300 | $85,317 | 24% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $82,520 | 500 | $89,046 | 21% |
| Killeen, TX | $82,470 | 540 | $90,495 | 19% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $82,460 | 1,450 | $82,888 | 24% |
| Orlando, FL | $82,270 | 3,150 | $81,120 | 28% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $82,210 | 440 | $82,206 | 28% |
| Slidell, LA | $82,200 | 200 | $88,648 | – |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $82,120 | 150 | $83,578 | 28% |
| Texarkana, TX | $82,050 | 200 | $97,665 | 18% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $81,820 | 420 | $88,956 | 21% |
| Hickory, NC | $81,750 | 290 | $92,387 | 23% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $81,420 | 180 | $92,910 | 19% |
| Victoria, TX | $81,360 | 100 | $90,562 | 17% |
| Tyler, TX | $81,240 | 270 | $88,155 | 19% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $80,950 | 80 | $90,707 | 19% |
| Panama City, FL | $80,730 | 150 | $82,974 | 26% |
| Sebring, FL | $80,690 | 100 | $87,261 | 23% |
| Monroe, LA | $80,650 | 250 | $96,475 | 18% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $80,330 | 110 | $85,368 | 23% |
| College Station, TX | $80,040 | 350 | $88,003 | 23% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $80,030 | 180 | $90,931 | 19% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $79,940 | 660 | $86,851 | 23% |
| Alexandria, LA | $79,820 | 210 | $93,154 | 15% |
| Asheville, NC | $79,770 | 410 | $82,658 | 26% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $79,530 | 60 | $91,344 | 16% |
| San Angelo, TX | $79,520 | 160 | $86,011 | 20% |
| Morgantown, WV | $79,440 | 90 | $85,124 | 20% |
| Beckley, WV | $79,310 | 80 | $89,749 | 16% |
| Brownsville, TX | $79,300 | 800 | $92,236 | 23% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $78,720 | 300 | $83,817 | 22% |
| Hammond, LA | $78,630 | 140 | $93,097 | 20% |
| Burlington, NC | $78,530 | 160 | $84,263 | 20% |
| Charleston, WV | $78,260 | 190 | $88,213 | 19% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $78,260 | 180 | $84,987 | 24% |
| Lakeland, FL | $78,050 | 590 | $80,347 | 28% |
| Elkhart, IN | $77,080 | 230 | $85,336 | 18% |
| Lafayette, LA | $76,010 | 350 | $87,158 | 22% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $74,880 | 100 | $84,647 | 24% |
| Lawton, OK | $64,970 | 120 | $75,598 | 21% |
What the median school principal salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $105,870 |
| Month | $8,823 |
| Every two weeks | $4,072 |
| Week | $2,036 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a school principal: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | 5 years or more |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 20,600 |
| Self-employed | 1.4% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Construction manager | $114,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| Healthcare administrator | $123,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| Property manager | $69,990 | High school diploma |
| Marketing manager | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| HR manager | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| Operations manager | $105,770 | Bachelor's degree |
| IT manager | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| Restaurant manager | $69,390 | High school diploma |
Questions about school principal pay
How much does a school principal make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for school principals, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $105,870 a year.
How much does a school principal make a month?
About $8,823 a month before taxes at the median salary of $105,870, or $4,072 every two weeks.
What state pays school principals the most?
Washington, with a median of $166,590. California ($159,950), Connecticut ($156,240), New York ($138,830) and the District of Columbia ($137,470) follow.
Where do school principals make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $166,590 is worth $155,673 at typical US prices. Connecticut, California and Delaware come next.
How much do entry-level school principals make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of school principals earn under $76,280 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $86,040, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a school principal?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: 5 years or more. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 11-9032 (Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.