As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Secondary School Principal in the United States is $110,860 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, a Secondary School Principal's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Secondary School Principals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 21.43% |
| Spring | 1.3% |
| Client Relationship | 0.96% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Business Development
|
$125,272 |
13%
|
|
Agile
|
$125,272 |
13%
|
|
Client Relationship
|
$124,163 |
12%
|
|
Project Management
|
$123,055 |
11%
|
|
Consulting
|
$121,946 |
10%
|
|
Alignment
|
$120,837 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 Secondary School Principal with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,970 and $121,828).
Secondary School Principal Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Secondary School Principal can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $88,248 in 2023 to around $88,805 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Secondary School Principal salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $88,248 |
| 2024 | $89,227 |
| 2025 | $88,805 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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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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