Career comparison
School Counselor vs. School Principal
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
School principals earn more at the median ($105,870 vs. $64,330), while school counselors usually get to work faster (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s of training). School counselors help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures. School principals lead a school’s teachers, students and families toward strong learning.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| School Counselor | School Principal | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,330 ($30.93/hr) | $105,870 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,020 – $104,770 | $76,280 – $167,770 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.9% (about as fast as average) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 27,800 | 20,600 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s | 5+ years of teaching plus a master’s |
| Key credential | State school counselor certification | State administrator license |
| Work setting | Counselors work in schools, colleges and career centers, in offices and classrooms.. | Principals work in school buildings, moving between offices, classrooms, hallways and events.. |
What each job does
School Counselor
- Meet with students individually and in groups
- Help with academic and graduation planning
- Guide college and career planning
- Support social and emotional needs
- Respond to crises
School Principal
- Lead the school’s instructional program
- Observe and evaluate teachers
- Manage budgets and staffing
- Handle student discipline
- Keep the school safe
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, and teamwork. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose school counselor if…
- I want to help students succeed
- I’m a good listener
- I can handle emotional situations
Choose school principal if…
- I’m an experienced teacher
- I want to lead adults
- I stay calm in conflict
Still torn? Take the School Counselor fit quiz and the School Principal fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, school counselor or school principal?
School Principals earn more at the median: $105,870 versus $64,330 for school counselors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
School Counselors typically train faster (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s) than school principals (5+ years of teaching plus a master’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects school counselors to grow +2.9% from 2025–35, compared with -0.3% for school principals.