As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a School Assistant Principal in the United States is $97,901 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a School Assistant Principal's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A School Assistant 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a School Assistant 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 |
|---|---|---|
| School Assistant Principal | 0-5 years | $97,829 |
| Headmaster | 5+ years | $106,935 |
| Superintendent of Primary/Secondary Schools | 5+ years | $160,027 |
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 School Assistant Principals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 16.15% |
| API | 1.51% |
| Curriculum Development | 0.86% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Supply Ordering
|
$109,649 |
12%
|
|
Salesforce CRM
|
$108,670 |
11%
|
|
Hosting
|
$106,712 |
9%
|
|
CRM
|
$105,733 |
8%
|
|
Project Management
|
$104,754 |
7%
|
|
Action Oriented
|
$104,754 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many School 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 a School Assistant Principal with a Bachelor's Degree is between $92,823 and $100,364).
School Assistant Principal Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a School 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 January 01, 2026For a School Assistant Principal, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Headmaster role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,000 - a projected growth of 9% over your current level.
Salaries for a School Assistant Principal can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,826 in 2023 to around $73,684 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of School Assistant Principal salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $73,826 |
| 2024 | $74,149 |
| 2025 | $73,684 |
| 2026 |
View More
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| 2027 |
View More
|
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Superintendents are higher than school principals in the educational hierarchy. While principals manage individual schools, superintendents oversee entire districts, which include multiple schools and facilities. This broader responsibility allows superintendents to impact a larger number of students and staff. The salary for an Assistant Principal ranges from $86,201 to $115,501, reflecting their important role in school administration.
Principals earn competitive salaries due to their significant responsibilities and the experience required for the role. The average salary for an Assistant Principal ranges from $86,201 to $115,501, with a midpoint of $98,801. Additionally, the financial health of the school district can influence these figures, reflecting the value placed on educational leadership.
Aspiring school principals don't need a PhD, but they should have graduate-level education and classroom experience to qualify for this role. The salary for an Assistant Principal typically ranges from $86,201 to $115,501, with a mid-salary of $98,801, reflecting the importance of this position in educational leadership.
An assistant principal can advance to become a principal, with salaries ranging from $86,201 to $115,501, depending on experience and location. Some principals may progress to superintendents, often requiring further education, while others may become instructional coordinators. Most states mandate that public school principals hold a school administrator license.
To become an assistant principal, it typically takes at least 3-5 years of teaching experience, along with the completion of a master's program in an administrative field. Additionally, candidates must successfully complete administrative testing and meet the requirements for school administrative licensure or certification. The salary for this position ranges from $86,201 to $115,501, with a mid-salary of $98,801.
The highest paid Assistant Principal can earn up to $115,501, with a minimum salary of $86,201 and a mid-range salary of $98,801. The top-paying sectors for this role include Government & Public Administration and Education, reflecting the competitive nature of salaries in these fields.
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.)
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