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Elementary School Principal Salary in the United States

How much does an Elementary School Principal make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Elementary School Principal in the United States is $105,273 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,371
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $92,452 to $118,410
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,778
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Elementary School Principal Salaries

An Elementary 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 Elementary 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 Elementary School Principals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $116,558.
  • California: $116,116.
  • Massachusetts: $114,569.

Top Paying Cities for Elementary 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: $132,781
  • San Francisco: $131,327
  • Oakland: $128,559

What Skills Can Increase an Elementary 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 an Elementary 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 $118,958
13%
Agile $118,958
13%
Client Relationship $117,906
12%
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Elementary School Principal Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Elementary 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, Elementary School Principal positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Elementary School Principal as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Elementary School Principal

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Education$110,537$53.05%

How Education impacts an Elementary School Principal's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Elementary 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 an Elementary School Principal with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,970 and $121,828).

Elementary School Principal Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Elementary 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

Elementary School Principal Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Elementary 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 September 01, 2026
$92,452
Average $105,273/year
$118,410
$7,704
Average $8,773/month
$9,868
$1,778
Average $2,024/week
$2,277
$44
Average $51/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $118,410 $9,868 $2,277 $57
Average $105,273 $8,773 $2,024 $51
25th Percentile $92,452 $7,704 $1,778 $44

Most common benefits for Elementary School Principal

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

Common company salaries for Elementary School Principal

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

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FAQ about Elementary School Principal

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Elementary School Principal?

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

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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