The average salary for a principal in Washington is around $166,590 per year.
Avg Salary
Principals earn an average yearly salary of $166,590.
Wages typically start from $111,830 and go up to $205,500.
99% above national average Updated in 2025
Principal earnings by seniority
Top-level principal earnings begin at:
$98.80 per hour
$205,500 per year
Senior-level principal earnings begin at:
$86.80 per hour
$180,540 per year
Mid-level principal earnings begin at:
$80.09 per hour
$166,590 per year
Junior-level principal earnings begin at:
$67.01 per hour
$139,390 per year
Starting level principal earnings begin at:
$53.76 per hour
$111,830 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 53% more than similar careers in Washington.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| School psychologist salary | $109K |
| Distance learning coordinator salary | $94K |
| High school teacher salary | $103K |
| Librarian salary | $100K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)