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Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Primary/Secondary School Principal make in District of Columbia?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Primary/Secondary School Principal in District of Columbia is $118,480 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $146,525
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,680 to $133,160
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,205
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View as table View as graph 25% $103,680 10% $90,205 90% $146,525 75% $133,160 $118,480 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $133,160 $11,097 $2,561 $64
Average $118,480 $9,873 $2,278 $57
25th Percentile $103,680 $8,640 $1,994 $50
Check out Primary/Secondary School Principal Job Openings in District of Columbia
Upper Elementary School Vice Principal of Academic Inclusion

Confidential - NEW YORK, NY

Head of School

Confidential - STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO

Head of School

Confidential - NASHVILLE, TN

Head of School

Confidential - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

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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 your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Primary/Secondary School Principal Salaries?

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:

  • Assistant Principal (0-5 years): $108,445
  • Primary/Secondary School Principal (5+ years): $118,475
  • Superintendent of Primary/Secondary Schools (5+ years): $177,515
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Assistant Principal0-5 years$108,445
Primary/Secondary School Principal5+ years$118,475
Superintendent of Primary/Secondary Schools5+ years$177,515
$108,445 Assistant...
$118,475 Primary/S...
$177,515 Superinte...
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What Am I Worth?

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:

  • Parcel Return Service: $117,840
  • Washington: $117,840
  • Naval Anacost Annex: $117,830

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 $122,271. While startup companies pay approximate $104,478.

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$104,478
Growth Stage51~500$110,232
Established501~5000$118,367
Enterprise5000+$122,271

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$124,404$60.05%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$103,680
Average $118,480/year
$133,160
$8,640
Average $9,873/month
$11,097
$1,994
Average $2,278/week
$2,561
$50
Average $57/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $133,160 $11,097 $2,561 $64
Average $118,480 $9,873 $2,278 $57
25th Percentile $103,680 $8,640 $1,994 $50

Primary/Secondary School Principal Salary Growth & Career Path

Primary/Secondary School Principal
Superintendent of Primary/Secondary Schools

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 $177,600 - a projected growth of 50% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Primary/Secondary School Principal

Find Your Next Primary/Secondary School Principal Job

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.

United States

  • Confidential

    BRATTLEBORO, VT

    Head of School

    Confidential | BRATTLEBORO, VT

    Head of School. About the Company. Well-established Montessori school. Industry. Higher Education. Type. Educational Institution. Founded. 1972. Employees.... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    PARK CITY, UT

    Head of School

    Confidential | PARK CITY, UT

    Head of School. About the Company. Well-regarded private school. Industry. Primary/Secondary Education. Type. Privately Held. Employees. 51-200. About the ... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    CAMBRIDGE, MA

    Head of School

    Confidential | CAMBRIDGE, MA

    Head of School. About the Company. Well-established charter school. Industry. Education Management. Type. Educational Institution. Founded. 1996. Employees... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    SEATTLE, WA

    Head of School

    Confidential | SEATTLE, WA

    Head of School. About the Company. Well-established Christian school. Industry. Primary/Secondary Education. Type. Non Profit. Founded. 1952. Employees. 11... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    YUKON, OK

    Head of School

    Confidential | YUKON, OK

    Head of School. About the Company. A thriving, non-denominational Christian school community serving students from PreKindergarten through 12th grade. Indu... more

    2 Months Ago

  • Professional Case Management

    KANSAS, MO

    Principal Investigator

    Professional Case Management | KANSAS, MO

    Professional Case Management is seeking a Principal Investigator to lead clinical and scientific research within our Healthcare & Medical organization. In ... more

    4 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In District of Columbia

Cost of Living in District of Columbia is
10.7% Higher
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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