Education & Childcare career

School Principal

Also called: Principal · Assistant Principal · K–12 Administrator · Head of School

What school principals do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a school principal do?

Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary, manage school operations, supervise teachers and staff, and lead efforts to improve student achievement. The median pay is $105,870 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years of teaching plus a master’s, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $105,870
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -0.3%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    20,600
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Master's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    5+ years of teaching plus a master’s
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    343,800
    Employment, 2025

What school principals do

Principals run schools. They set the vision, hire and coach teachers, manage budgets and schedules, handle student discipline, keep the building safe, work with families and the district, and use data to improve learning. Assistant principals usually focus on discipline, attendance and operations.

Most principals have a master’s degree in educational leadership, years of teaching experience and a state administrator license.

Typical duties

  • Lead the school’s instructional program
  • Observe and evaluate teachers
  • Manage budgets and staffing
  • Handle student discipline
  • Keep the school safe
  • Communicate with families
  • Analyze student data

Work environment and schedule

Principals work in school buildings, moving between offices, classrooms, hallways and events.

Schedule: Long days with evening events, and many work through the summer.

A day in the life

  1. Greet buses and students at the door.
  2. Meet the leadership team.
  3. Observe a math class.
  4. Handle a discipline issue.

See a full day in the life of a school principal →

School Principal salary

Half of school principals earned more than $105,870 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $76,280 for the lowest 10% to $167,770 for the top 10%.

Full school principal pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a school principal

  1. Earn a bachelor’s and teaching license
  2. Teach for several years
  3. Take leadership roles
  4. Earn a master’s in leadership
  5. Get licensed and apply

A master’s degree in educational leadership or administration, teaching experience and a state administrator license are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a school principal →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Instructional leadership
  • Teacher evaluation
  • School budgeting
  • Data analysis
  • Education law

People skills

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Decision-making

All school principal skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Shape a whole school
  • High pay for education
  • Leadership role
  • Every day is different

Cons

  • Long hours
  • High accountability
  • Difficult conversations
  • Evening and weekend events

Certifications and licenses

  • State administrator license: Required in public schools.
  • Master’s in educational leadership: Common requirement.
  • Teaching license: Usually required first.
  • Ed.D.: Optional doctorate.

Career path

  1. Teacher: Classroom experience.
  2. Assistant Principal: Entry administration.
  3. Principal: Lead a school.
  4. District Administrator or Superintendent: Lead districts.

Learn the job before day one

Our School Principal training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a classroom walkthrough and lead a school data meeting, safety and how to land your first job.

View School Principal trainingIs this career right for me?

Instructional Coordinator

Improve teaching and learning by developing curriculum and coaching teachers.

  • $77,440
  • Master’s plus 5+ years of teaching

School Counselor

Help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.

  • $64,330
  • Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s

Education Professor

Prepare future teachers and research how people learn.

  • $75,350
  • 8+ years including teaching

Compare: School Principal vs. Elementary Teacher · School Principal vs. Instructional Coordinator · School Principal vs. School Counselor · School Principal vs. Education Professor

School Principal FAQ

Do principals need teaching experience?

Almost always. Most states require it for an administrator license.

What does an assistant principal do?

Often handles discipline, attendance and operations.

Do principals work summers?

Many do, planning, hiring and scheduling.

How much does a school principal make?

The median annual wage for school principals was $105,870 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $76,280 and the highest 10% earned more than $167,770.

How long does it take to become a school principal?

Most people need about 5+ years of teaching plus a master’s of training. A master’s degree in educational leadership or administration, teaching experience and a state administrator license are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a school principal?

Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More school principal questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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