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Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary in the United States

How much does a Primary/Secondary School Principal make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Primary/Secondary School Principal in the United States is $107,030 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Primary/Secondary School Principal's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,458
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,680 to $120,340
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,526
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Primary/Secondary School Principal Salaries

A Primary/Secondary School 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.

How Do Primary/Secondary School Principal Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Primary/Secondary School Principals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $118,500.
  • California: $118,050.
  • Massachusetts: $116,480.

Top Paying Cities for Primary/Secondary School 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: $134,990
  • San Francisco: $133,520
  • Oakland: $130,700

What Skills Can Increase a Primary/Secondary School Principal's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 21.43% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Spring (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake.
  • Client Relationship (Mentioned in 0.96% Job Postings): Client relationship managemen is focused on building relationships with clients to ensure that their needs are met, they are satisfied with the services and/or products provided by the company.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 21.43%
Spring 1.3%
Client Relationship 0.96%
See More Skills

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 a Primary/Secondary School Principal's salary.

  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Client Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Development $120,944
13%
Agile $120,944
13%
Client Relationship $119,874
12%
Get Latest Data

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Primary/Secondary School Principal salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $110,479. While startup companies pay approximate $94,423.

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $94,423
Growth Stage 51~500 $99,625
Established 501~5000 $106,924
Enterprise 5000+ $110,479

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Primary/Secondary School Principal roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Education, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Primary/Secondary School Principal positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Primary/Secondary School Principal as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Primary/Secondary School Principal

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Education$112,382$54.05%

How Education impacts a Primary/Secondary School Principal's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Primary/Secondary School 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 a Primary/Secondary School Principal with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,529 and $121,352).

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Primary/Secondary School Principal
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.1%
High School 2.1%
Associates 0.8%
Bachelors 10.5%
Masters 66.1%
Doctorate 20.5%
View as Graph

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Primary/Secondary School 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 October 01, 2026
$93,680
Average $107,030/year
$120,340
$7,807
Average $8,919/month
$10,028
$1,802
Average $2,058/week
$2,314
$45
Average $51/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,340 $10,028 $2,314 $58
Average $107,030 $8,919 $2,058 $51
25th Percentile $93,680 $7,807 $1,802 $45

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary Growth & Career Path

Primary/Secondary School Principal

Next Role

For a Primary/Secondary School Principal, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Superintendent of Primary/Secondary Schools role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $160,500 - a projected growth of 50% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Primary/Secondary School Principal

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

Common company salaries for Primary/Secondary School Principal

Here are companies hiring for Primary/Secondary School Principal and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Primary/Secondary School Principal

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Primary/Secondary School Principal?

The Education industry offers the highest average compensation for Primary/Secondary School Principal roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of a US elementary School Principal?

The salary of a US elementary school principal typically ranges from a minimum of $106,280 to a maximum of $135,340, with a mid-range salary of $120,310. This reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities associated with the role.

3. Which state pays principals the most?

Our research found that Vermont is the best state for school principals, offering a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $106,280, the mid-salary is $120,310, and the maximum salary reaches $135,340. New Jersey and Delaware also rank high in terms of median salary, with New Jersey leading among all states for school principals.

4. How much is a secondary school teacher paid in USA?

As of January 22, 2025, the average annual salary for a Primary/Secondary School Principal in the United States ranges from $106,280 to $135,340, with a mid-salary of $120,310. This translates to approximately $51.05 to $65.00 per hour, or $2,020 to $2,600 per week, and $8,840 to $11,250 per month.

5. Are high school teachers paid well in USA?

High school teachers in the USA earn a median salary of $65,220 in 2023. In comparison, Primary/Secondary School Principals have a more lucrative salary range, with a minimum of $106,280, a mid-range salary of $120,310, and a maximum of $135,340. This indicates that while teachers earn a decent wage, principals receive significantly higher compensation.

6. How much do high school principals make in the US?

High School Principals in the US typically earn between $106,280 and $135,340 annually. The average salary is approximately $120,310, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the compensation for this vital educational role.

7. How much does a high school principal make in New York?

In New York, a high school principal typically earns between $106,280 and $135,340 annually, with a median salary of around $120,310. This places the role among the higher-paying positions in education, reflecting the responsibilities and leadership required in managing a school.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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