Principal earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level principal earnings begin at:

$62.42 per hour

$129,840 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level principal earnings begin at:

$59.12 per hour

$122,960 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level principal earnings begin at:

$50.44 per hour

$104,910 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level principal earnings begin at:

$46.65 per hour

$97,030 per year

10th percentile

Starting level principal earnings begin at:

$38.57 per hour

$80,220 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Principal salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Kentucky $99,920
Ohio $99,590
Indiana $98,770
Tennessee $97,590
Alabama $97,480
Arizona $97,480
Florida $96,490
Montana $95,700
Texas $93,910
South Dakota $88,390
Oklahoma $86,630
Arkansas $86,330
Louisiana $83,360
North Carolina $83,180
Mississippi $82,800
West Virginia $80,650
Guam $74,960
Virgin Islands, U.S. $67,640
Puerto Rico $48,340
Washington $166,590
California $159,950
Connecticut $156,240
New York $138,830
District of Columbia $137,470
New Jersey $137,440
Delaware $132,710
Maryland $131,510
Oregon $130,050
Utah $128,880
Massachusetts $128,430
Minnesota $127,000
Hawaii $126,760
Alaska $125,520
Rhode Island $119,980
Pennsylvania $118,710
Wisconsin $117,010
Illinois $113,360
Nebraska $110,580
Colorado $110,530
Nevada $109,420
North Dakota $107,940
New Mexico $107,720
Virginia $106,100
Wyoming $105,480
Vermont $105,350
New Hampshire $104,910
Iowa $104,260
Michigan $104,020
Georgia $103,360
Maine $102,890
South Carolina $102,440
Idaho $101,090
Kansas $100,530
Missouri $100,400

How much does a Principal earn?

Great principals can make a huge difference in the lives of students and their communities. Principals have always been responsible for the management of their school, but lately they’ve also taken on an additional task of student achievement. In some instances, the increased hours and responsibility are not compensated for by minimal principal salary increases.

How do principal salaries compare to similar careers?

Principals earn 28% more than similar careers in New Hampshire.

Career Median Salary
Distance learning coordinator salary $76K
Music teacher salary $79K
Nurse educator salary $78K
Health educator salary $70K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)