How to hire an assistant principal

How to hire an assistant principal, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant principal hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant principal job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant principal
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an assistant principal do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The assistant principal hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An assistant principal's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assistant principals from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of assistant principal salaries for various roles:

   Type of Assistant Principal	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Principal	Elementary, middle, and high school principals manage all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curricula, oversee teachers and other school staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.	$27-45
   Chairperson	A chairperson is responsible for managing the overall business team, ensuring everyone's compliance with the company's strategies and processes to reach the highest business goals and objectives. A chairperson's duties also include monitoring the staff's performance, analyzing the committee's performance and decisions, providing reports and updates during meetings, improving the current policies and procedures as necessary, and facilitating committee's programs and special events... Show more	$22-162
   School Director	A school director oversees educational programs, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They typically gather and analyze data, review reports, monitor faculty staff's performance and the progress of all teaching methods, and resolve issues should any arise... Show more	$22-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Classroom Management
   • Curriculum Development
   • Professional Development
   • Instructional Program
   • Math
   • Student Achievement
   • Staff Development
   • Student Discipline
   • Mathematics
   • Public Schools
   • Professional Growth
   • Student Learning
   • Data Analysis
   • Instructional Strategies

   Check all skills

   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.

   More assistant principal duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant principal job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An assistant principal salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an assistant principal in South Carolina may be lower than in Oregon, and an entry-level assistant principal usually earns less than a senior-level assistant principal. Additionally, an assistant principal with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average assistant principal salary

   $73,607yearly

   $35.39 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level assistant principal salary

   $57,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average assistant principal salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$90,690	$44
   2	Connecticut	$87,097	$42
   3	New York	$86,838	$42
   4	Washington	$78,432	$38
   5	New Hampshire	$77,637	$37
   6	District of Columbia	$73,909	$36
   7	Illinois	$73,127	$35
   8	Michigan	$71,493	$34
   9	Pennsylvania	$71,415	$34
   10	Missouri	$70,133	$34
   11	Texas	$69,762	$34
   12	Florida	$69,722	$34
   13	North Carolina	$68,417	$33
   14	Colorado	$68,258	$33
   15	Arkansas	$65,276	$31
   16	New Mexico	$65,255	$31
   17	Oklahoma	$63,348	$30
   18	Arizona	$62,009	$30
   19	Louisiana	$61,592	$30
   20	South Carolina	$59,191	$28

   Average assistant principal salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Pace University	$116,305	$55.92	1
   2	Sweetwater Union High School District	$103,464	$49.74	1
   3	Hemet Unified School District	$98,457	$47.34	10
   4	Paramount High School	$97,109	$46.69
   5	Boulder Valley School District	$96,307	$46.30
   6	Sacramento City Unified School District	$93,225	$44.82
   7	Ontario-Montclair School District	$92,647	$44.54
   8	Cincinnati Public Schools	$92,454	$44.45	6
   9	Chicago Public Schools	$91,836	$44.15	8
   10	Point Loma Nazarene University	$90,987	$43.74
   11	Montebello Unified School Dst	$90,123	$43.33
   12	Northrop Grumman	$89,891	$43.22	631
   13	Union County Public Schools	$89,405	$42.98	9
   14	Danbury Public Schools	$89,186	$42.88	1
   15	Houston ISD Foundation	$88,228	$42.42	8
   16	Anne Arundel County Public Schools	$87,591	$42.11	3
   17	Rowland Unified School District	$87,256	$41.95
   18	The Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park, IL	$86,155	$41.42
   19	Township High School District 113	$85,630	$41.17	1
   20	Vt Leeboy, Inc.	$85,558	$41.13

4. Writing an assistant principal job description

   An assistant principal job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an assistant principal job description:

   Assistant principal job description example

   About Mastery:
   
   We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child - academically and emotionally - matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.
   
   Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,000 students in Philadelphia and Camden. We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.
   
   We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our buildings can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.
   
   Mastery's Equity Vision:
   
   We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission.
   
   We strive to be an anti-racist school district that eliminates the inequities in academic achievement that limit our students' choices; that cultivates classrooms where every student is affirmed, supported, and held to high expectations; and that nurtures a diverse organization where students, staff, and families are valued, respected, and included.
   
   This role is eligible for up to $10,000 in bonuses! Positions available in both Philadelphia and Camden!
   
   The Opportunity:
   
   The Assistant Principal of Specialized Services is directly responsible for improving the academic and behavioral performance of students with specialized services. The Assistant Principal manages and coordinates all specialized services including special education, 504 plans, Academic and Social Emotional Interventions, and English Language Development. The overarching goal is to ensure that each student has the appropriate individualized support plan to ensure their academic and social emotional success.
   
   Duties and Responsibilities:Manage the Specialized Services programming at a school including all Special Education Services, 504 plans, Academic and Social Emotional Interventions, and English Learner services.Implement, supervise and facilitate the Mastery intervention programs and curricula.Supervise and coordinate the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 processes.Supervise and coordinate evaluations and related services for students.Coordinate and monitor the School Social Work services and Mental Health services of partner organizations.Chair and conduct manifestation determination meetings and other special education meetings.Ensure the implementation of accommodations in the general education environment.Ensure that student files are in full compliance with all special education laws. Provide leadership on the school's Administrative Team.Conduct informal and formal evaluations for special education teachers and other school staff members.Support principal and other assistant principals in leading the school and creating a culture of student achievement.
   Qualifications:Knowledge of Federal and State Special Education Laws.Knowledge of teaching methods, curriculum, and education programs designed for students with learning, physical and behavioral disabilities.Knowledge of Positive Behavior Supports related to individuals with learning, developmental, and/or emotional disabilities Knowledge of English Language Development, teaching practices and programming.Knowledge of Academic and Social Emotional Interventions.Strong communication skills and ability to develop trusting relationships with students, staff, and families.A strong sense of personal agency and accountability for student achievement A belief that all students should be held to high academic standards Demonstrated professionalism and responsibility, and a strong work ethic A positive, high-energy attitude and a drive for personal excellence
   Education and Experience:Master's Degree in Special Education required At least five (5) years of urban education experience required Must be PA state certified in special education and administration
   Physical Requirements:Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required such as maneuvering in classrooms and office space-reaching file cabinets, filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, and making phone calls; Must be able to sit for up to two (2) hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard and mouse and typing.
   
   Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.
   
   UPDATE AS OF MAY 2022 - Please review Mastery's Health and Safety Plans here to learn about our approach to vaccination and testing as well as our response to COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year. For ongoing positions, Mastery roles are designated as in-person, with regular on-site responsibilities, unless otherwise noted. As such, Employees must be able to support Mastery Schools' academic plan and business strategies on-site - at a Mastery campus - as required.
   
   Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on an individualized basis.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right assistant principal for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with assistant principals they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit assistant principals who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant principal job on Zippia to find and attract quality assistant principal candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as k12jobspot, learn4good, serious teachers, teachingjobs.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit assistant principals, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant principal

   Once you've selected the best assistant principal candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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