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The differences between assistant principals and high school principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an assistant principal and a high school principal. Additionally, a high school principal has an average salary of $96,329, 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 high school principal are student achievement, curriculum development, and staff development.
| Assistant Principal | High School Principal | |
| Yearly salary | $73,607 | $96,329 |
| Hourly rate | $35.39 | $46.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 42,186 | 61,948 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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 High School Principal oversees and supervises the daily operations of a high school. They are typically in charge of setting goals and objectives, establishing budgets and guidelines, creating schedules, spearheading academic programs, developing strategies to accomplish objectives, and conducting regular workforce assessments, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is also their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, a High School Principal implements policies and regulations to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for everyone.
Assistant principals and high school principals have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Principal | High School Principal | |
| Average salary | $73,607 | $96,329 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $94,000 | Between $70,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | East Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Washington |
| Best paying company | Pace University | Jo-Ann Stores |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between an assistant principal and a high school principal in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Principal | High School Principal | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Educational Leadership | Educational Leadership |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between assistant principals' and high school principals' demographics:
| Assistant Principal | High School Principal | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6% | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |