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Assistant principal vs teacher

The differences between assistant principals and teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant principal has an average salary of $73,607, which is higher than the $47,989 average annual salary of a teacher.

The top three skills for an assistant principal include classroom management, curriculum development and professional development. The most important skills for a teacher are ESL, handle scheduling, and kids.

Assistant principal vs teacher overview

Assistant PrincipalTeacher
Yearly salary$73,607$47,989
Hourly rate$35.39$23.07
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs42,18671,918
Job satisfaction-4.14
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4742
Years of experience4-

What does an assistant principal do?

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.

What does a teacher do?

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

Assistant principal vs teacher salary

Assistant principals and teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant PrincipalTeacher
Average salary$73,607$47,989
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $94,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateOregonMaryland
Best paying companyPace UniversityKing Low Heywood Thomas
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between assistant principal and teacher education

There are a few differences between an assistant principal and a teacher in terms of educational background:

Assistant PrincipalTeacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorEducational LeadershipElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Assistant principal vs teacher demographics

Here are the differences between assistant principals' and teachers' demographics:

Assistant PrincipalTeacher
Average age4742
Gender ratioMale, 47.4% Female, 52.6%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage16%9%

Differences between assistant principal and teacher duties and responsibilities

Assistant principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Create and manage projects that are research base to improve student success in the areas of mathematics for ESL students.
  • Manage special education department budget, student programming and IEP accommodations.
  • Conduct CSE and annual review meetings.
  • Plan, control, and direct the overall activities for students in grade Pre-K - 8th grade.
  • Coordinate RtI interventions and implementation at secondary level.
  • Show more

Teacher example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with co-teacher to manage and co-teach curriculum to a large group.
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop social studies and geography curriculum.
  • Provide kindergarten readiness in approaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and introductory math skills.
  • Attend and participate in ESL professional development activities, conferences/workshops, curriculum/program planning, & special events and activities.
  • Show more

Assistant principal vs teacher skills

Common assistant principal skills
  • Classroom Management, 8%
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Instructional Program, 5%
  • Math, 4%
  • Student Achievement, 4%
Common teacher skills
  • ESL, 17%
  • Handle Scheduling, 15%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%

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