Salary guide
School Principal Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What school principals earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median school principal salary in the U.S. is $105,870 per year based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $76,280, while the top 10% earned more than $167,770.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
School Principal pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,280 | $36.67 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $86,040 | $41.37 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $105,870 | $50.90 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $134,630 | $64.73 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $167,770 | $80.66 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours; BLS publishes annual wages only for this occupation. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $86,040 | $105,870 | $134,630 |
| Per month | $7,170 | $8,823 | $11,219 |
| Every two weeks | $3,309 | $4,072 | $5,178 |
| Per week | $1,655 | $2,036 | $2,589 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects school principal pay
- Public versus private schools and centers
- Degree level and state salary schedules
- Subject or specialty shortages (special education, STEM, career and technical education)
- Extra-duty pay for coaching, summer school and tutoring
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a school principal
- Get credentialed: State administrator license, Master’s in educational leadership, Teaching license.
- Build specialty experience: Entry administration.
- Move up: roles such as principal and district administrator or superintendent typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
School Principal pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of school principals to change by -0.3% from 2025–35, little or no change compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 20,600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 11-9032 (“Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
School Principal salary FAQ
How much does a school principal make per hour?
BLS reports only annual wages for school principals, because most are paid a yearly salary rather than by the hour. Spread over a standard 2,080-hour work year, the May 2025 median of $105,870 works out to about $50.90 an hour.
How much does a school principal make a month?
At the median annual wage of $105,870, that works out to about $8,823 per month before taxes, or about $4,072 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a school principal?
New school principals often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $76,280 and the 25th percentile was $86,040 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can school principals earn more?
Common ways include earning State administrator license and Master’s in educational leadership, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as principal.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9032 (Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.