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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Primary/Secondary School Principal in California is $118,030 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Primary/Secondary School Principal's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Primary/Secondary School Principal Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $132,660 | $11,055 | $2,551 | $64 |
| Average | $118,030 | $9,836 | $2,270 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,280 | $8,607 | $1,986 | $50 |
Panama-Buena Vista Union School District - Bakersfield, CA
Grass Valley School District - Grass Valley, CA
Alpha Public Schools - San Jose, CA
Madera USD - Madera, CA
A Primary/Secondary School Principal's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Primary/Secondary School Principal's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Principal | 0-5 years | $108,033 |
| Primary/Secondary School Principal | 5+ years | $118,025 |
| Superintendent of Primary/Secondary Schools | 5+ years | $176,842 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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 $121,807. While startup companies pay approximate $104,081.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $104,081 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $109,813 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $117,918 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $121,807 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | $123,932 | $60.0 | 5% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $132,660 | $11,055 | $2,551 | $64 |
| Average | $118,030 | $9,836 | $2,270 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,280 | $8,607 | $1,986 | $50 |
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 $176,900 - a projected growth of 50% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Primary/Secondary School Principal job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Hesperia Unified School District
Hesperia, CA
Hesperia Unified School District | Hesperia, CA
DEFINITIONUnder general direction of the principal, assists in the administration and coordination of a middle school.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES... more
9 Days Ago
Campbell County Schools
Oceanside, CA
Campbell County Schools | Oceanside, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Elk Valley Elementary School is seeking a qualified and experienced educational leader to serve as Principal. The success... more
8 Days Ago
Turlock Unified School District
Turlock, CA
Turlock Unified School District | Turlock, CA
About the EmployerThe Turlock Unified School District is located in the heart of the Central Valley in Turlock, CA, and was established over a hundred year... more
9 Days Ago
Rise Academy
San Jose, CA
Rise Academy | San Jose, CA
About RISE Education SystemRISE Academy is a subsidiary of RISE Education System, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that is accredited by the... more
9 Days Ago
Stanislaus Union School District
Modesto, CA
Stanislaus Union School District | Modesto, CA
STANISLAUS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICTJOB DESCRIPTION - CERTIFICATEDVICE-PRINCIPALJob Description Update approved: August 2003DEFINITIONUnder the direction of th... more
9 Days Ago
Antelope School District
Red Bluff, CA
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