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The differences between assistant principals and department chairpeople can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an assistant principal, becoming a department chairperson takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a department chairperson has an average salary of $98,438, which is higher than the $73,607 average annual salary of an assistant principal.
The top three skills for an assistant principal include classroom management, curriculum development and professional development. The most important skills for a department chairperson are curriculum development, professional development, and classroom management.
| Assistant Principal | Department Chairperson | |
| Yearly salary | $73,607 | $98,438 |
| Hourly rate | $35.39 | $47.33 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 42,186 | 33,511 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An assistant principal is responsible for carrying out administrative support tasks in a school or similar establishment. Most of the duties involve producing reports and evaluations, attending meetings, overseeing daily school operations, monitoring classes and faculty performances, implementing school policies and regulations, and coordinating with the principal, school board, and other members of the institution. Furthermore, an assistant principal participates in devising plans and strategies to improve the school curriculum and organize various activities that will help students develop their skills and potential.
A Department Chairperson is a faculty member who provides academic and administrative leadership to an academic department. They exercise leadership in recruiting and retaining capable faculty, communicate departmental needs and desires to the Dean and Provost, and coordinate the academic advisement process.
Assistant principals and department chairpeople have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Principal | Department Chairperson | |
| Average salary | $73,607 | $98,438 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $94,000 | Between $50,000 And $191,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | Pace University | Marshall University |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between an assistant principal and a department chairperson in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Principal | Department Chairperson | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Educational Leadership | Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between assistant principals' and department chairpeople' demographics:
| Assistant Principal | Department Chairperson | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6% | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |