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Hourly Wage for Assistant Principal Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Principal make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Assistant Principal in the United States is $47, which translates to an annual salary of about $98,000.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42 to $54 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Principal Salaries

An Assistant Principal's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Principals

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $123,600
  • San Francisco: $122,300
  • Oakland: $119,700

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant Principal's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 16.15% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • API (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • Curriculum Development (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): Curriculum development is the multi-step process of creating and improving a course taught at a school or university.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 16.15%
API 1.51%
Curriculum Development 0.86%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Assistant Principal's salary.

  • Supply Ordering: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Salesforce CRM: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Hosting: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Supply Ordering $109,760
12%
Salesforce CRM $108,780
11%
Hosting $106,820
9%

Assistant Principal Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Assistant Principal salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $101,176. While startup companies pay approximate $86,400.

Assistant Principal Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $86,400
Growth Stage 51~500 $91,178
Established 501~5000 $97,924
Enterprise 5000+ $101,176

Assistant Principal Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Principal roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Assistant Principal positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Assistant Principal as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Assistant Principal

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$102,900$49.05%

How Education impacts an Assistant Principal's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Principals enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assistant Principal with a Bachelor's Degree is between $92,822 and $100,363).

Assistant Principal Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Principal
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.0%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 14.4%
Masters 68.1%
Doctorate 12.4%

Assistant Principal Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Principal's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$87,000
Average $98,000/year
$111,600
$7,250
Average $8,167/month
$9,300
$1,673
Average $1,885/week
$2,146
$42
Average $47/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,600 $9,300 $2,146 $54
Average $98,000 $8,167 $1,885 $47
25th Percentile $87,000 $7,250 $1,673 $42

Most common benefits for Assistant Principal

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Assistant Principal

Here are companies hiring for Assistant Principal and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Assistant Principal

1. Which state pays principals the most?

Our research found that Vermont is the best state for school principals, with a median salary of $98,800. While New Jersey and Delaware rank high in terms of salary, Vermont's range for assistant principals is between $86,200 and $115,500, making it a competitive option for educators seeking leadership roles.

2. How hard is it to become a principal?

Becoming a principal can be challenging, as it requires specific qualifications such as a master's degree in education, a minimum of three years of teaching experience, and completion of a principal licensure program. The salary for an Assistant Principal typically ranges from $86,200 to $115,500, reflecting the responsibilities and expertise required for the role.

3. What degree do most principals have?

In addition to a bachelor's degree, most high school principals hold a Master's degree, often in educational leadership or educational administration. This advanced education equips them with essential skills for certification. The salary for an Assistant Principal typically ranges from $86,200 to $115,500, with a median salary of $98,800.

4. What is the highest paid assistant principal?

The highest paid Assistant Principal can earn up to $115,500, with a minimum salary of $86,200 and a mid-range salary of $98,800. The top-paying sectors for this role include Government & Public Administration and Education, reflecting the competitive nature of salaries in these fields.

5. Do principals make more than teachers?

Principals generally earn more than teachers. Based on recent salary data, an Assistant Principal's salary ranges from $86,200 to $115,500, with a mid-salary of $98,800. In contrast, full-time teachers typically earn around $60,100, highlighting the significant salary difference between these roles in education.

6. Why do principals get paid so much?

Principals earn significant salaries due to factors like experience and the school district's budget. For Assistant Principals, salaries range from $86,200 to $115,500, with a median of $98,800. This compensation reflects their responsibilities in managing school operations, supporting staff, and enhancing student outcomes, all of which require substantial expertise and leadership.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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