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High school principal salary
Average high school principal salary
$96,329
Understanding High School Principal Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a High School Principal in the United States is approximately $96,329 annually. This figure can vary significantly depending on geographical location, years of experience, and the specific school district. For instance, principals in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for educational leadership.
Experience also plays a critical role in salary determination. Entry-level principals may start at a lower salary, while those with over a decade of experience can command significantly higher compensation. Additionally, the size and type of school—public vs. private—can influence salary levels.
Job seekers interested in becoming high school principals should consider pursuing advanced degrees and certifications, which can enhance their qualifications and open doors for higher-paying positions. Networking within the educational community and staying informed about job openings can provide an advantage in securing desirable roles.
For those looking to advance their careers, understanding salary trends is crucial. Regularly reviewing salary data and job opportunities can help aspiring principals make informed career choices in the competitive landscape of education.
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Where can a High School Principal earn more?
High school principal salary estimates from across the web
Average high school principal salary by state
The average high school principal salary in Washington, New Jersey, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average high school principal salary states are Missouri, Alabama, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for high school principals
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $107,288 | $51.58 |
| 2 | Vermont | $99,928 | $48.04 |
| 3 | Oregon | $103,451 | $49.74 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $106,482 | $51.19 |
| 5 | Delaware | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $93,281 | $44.85 |
| 7 | Illinois | $94,953 | $45.65 |
| 8 | Maryland | $95,563 | $45.94 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $84,342 | $40.55 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $98,304 | $47.26 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $85,718 | $41.21 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $85,210 | $40.97 |
| 13 | New York | $92,145 | $44.30 |
| 14 | South Dakota | $94,944 | $45.65 |
| 15 | Indiana | $90,958 | $43.73 |
| 16 | Alaska | $88,421 | $42.51 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $85,022 | $40.88 |
| 18 | California | $100,201 | $48.17 |
| 19 | Ohio | $84,112 | $40.44 |
| 20 | Georgia | $85,683 | $41.19 |
| 21 | Arizona | $78,902 | $37.93 |
| 22 | Montana | $79,635 | $38.29 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $86,434 | $41.55 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $82,304 | $39.57 |
| 25 | Virginia | $83,396 | $40.09 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $77,209 | $37.12 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $76,231 | $36.65 |
| 28 | Michigan | $77,849 | $37.43 |
| 29 | Idaho | $75,211 | $36.16 |
| 30 | Texas | $76,968 | $37.00 |
| 31 | Colorado | $75,229 | $36.17 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $74,206 | $35.68 |
| 33 | Maine | $76,474 | $36.77 |
| 34 | Nevada | $73,493 | $35.33 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $73,849 | $35.50 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $75,455 | $36.28 |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $82,774 | $39.80 |
| 38 | Kansas | $72,091 | $34.66 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $68,259 | $32.82 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $71,876 | $34.56 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $71,315 | $34.29 |
| 43 | Iowa | $71,403 | $34.33 |
| 44 | Utah | $73,096 | $35.14 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $68,621 | $32.99 |
| 46 | Missouri | $68,598 | $32.98 |
| 47 | Florida | $65,303 | $31.40 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $70,467 | $33.88 |
| 49 | Alabama | $68,314 | $32.84 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $66,187 | $31.82 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $66,918 | $32.17 |
Highest paying cities for high school principals
The highest-paying cities for high school principals are East Palo Alto, CA, Grants Pass, OR, and Niles, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Palo Alto, CA | $107,155 | $51.52 |
| 2 | Grants Pass, OR | $103,670 | $49.84 |
| 3 | Niles, IL | $95,545 | $45.94 |
| 4 | Albany, NY | $91,550 | $44.01 |
| 5 | Harrisburg, PA | $85,555 | $41.13 |
| 6 | Hartford, CT | $85,113 | $40.92 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $85,022 | $40.88 |
| 8 | Great Falls, MT | $81,017 | $38.95 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $78,493 | $37.74 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $77,982 | $37.49 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $76,286 | $36.68 |
| 12 | Boulder, CO | $75,427 | $36.26 |
| 13 | Brooklyn Center, MN | $74,293 | $35.72 |
| 14 | Davenport, IA | $72,237 | $34.73 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $69,580 | $33.45 |
| 16 | Kailua, HI | $67,112 | $32.27 |
High school principal salary details
A high school principal's salary ranges from $70,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $131,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a high school principal's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $131,000 | $10,917 | $63 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,000 | $9,417 | $54 |
| Average | $96,329 | $8,027 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,000 | $6,750 | $39 |
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
Highest paying high school principal jobs
The highest paying types of high school principals are principal associate, principal, and school principal.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superintendent | $82,458 | $6,871 | $39.64 | 22,580 |
| Educational Administrator | $67,252 | $5,604 | $32.33 | 52,917 |
| Principal Investigator | $84,635 | $7,053 | $40.69 | 44,475 |
| School Business Manager | $62,224 | $5,185 | $29.92 | 87,493 |
| School Superintendent | $93,341 | $7,778 | $44.88 | 30,220 |
| After School Program Coordinator | $34,475 | $2,873 | $16.57 | 86,881 |
Which companies pay high school principals the most?
High school principal salaries at Jo-Ann Stores and Boulder Valley School District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average high school principal salary at companies like Robbinsdale Area Schools and CRISTA Ministries are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jo-Ann Stores | $112,626 | $54.15 |
| 2 | Boulder Valley School District | $111,833 | $53.77 |
| 3 | Robbinsdale Area Schools | $111,309 | $53.51 |
| 4 | CRISTA Ministries | $110,834 | $53.29 |
| 5 | Envision | $105,903 | $50.91 |
| 6 | COMPTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | $104,455 | $50.22 |
| 7 | McDonald's | $103,934 | $49.97 |
| 8 | K12 | $103,123 | $49.58 |
| 9 | Paulding County High School | $103,095 | $49.56 |
| 10 | Middletown Township Public Schools | $101,350 | $48.73 |
| 11 | Rowland Unified School District | $100,350 | $48.25 |
| 12 | East Side Union High School District | $99,965 | $48.06 |
| 13 | Fremont Public Schools | $99,756 | $47.96 |
| 14 | Guilford County Schools | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| 15 | Lynwood Unified School District | $98,656 | $47.43 |
| 16 | Broward County Public Schools | $98,061 | $47.14 |
| 17 | Lockheed Martin | $95,598 | $45.96 |
| 18 | The University of Chicago | $93,313 | $44.86 |
| 19 | Friedman | $91,956 | $44.21 |
| 20 | Tamalpais Union High School District | $91,398 | $43.94 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
High school principal salary trends
The average high school principal salary has risen by $10,778 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average high school principal earned $85,551 annually, but today, they earn $96,329 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for high school principals over the last decade.
Compare high school principal salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average high school principal salary over time
Compare high school principal salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
High school principal salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $96,300 | $46.31 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $94,300 | $45.33 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $93,200 | $44.82 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $92,300 | $44.38 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $90,500 | $43.50 | +2.3% |
Recently added high school principal salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | Head of High School | Oakland, CA | 06/27/2025 | $120,000 |
| Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Tx | (Anticipated Vacancy) Associate Principal, Langham Creek High School | Houston, TX | 06/27/2025 | $80,005 |
| Kipp Northern California Public Schools | Paraeducator-High School) | San Jose, CA | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Indiana Public Schools | Twin Lakes High School Principal | Monticello, IN | 06/25/2025 | $6,000 |
| Fort Worth Independent School District | Principal-Arlington Heights High School | Fort Worth, TX | 06/25/2025 | $118,479 |
| Fort Worth ISD | Principal-Arlington Heights High School | Arlington, TX | 06/25/2025 | $118,479 |
| Kipp Capital Region (Kipp Albany Public Schools | ) Founding High School Principal | Albany, NY | 06/23/2025 | $164,000 |
| Hopatcong Borough Schools | High School Principal Grades | Hopatcong, NJ | 06/21/2025 | $125,000 |
| Humble Independent School District | Atascocita High School Associtate Principal-PCN 3509 | Nome, TX | 06/21/2025 | $110,776 |
| Edgewood ISD (Tx | Principal-High School | San Antonio, TX | 06/21/2025 | $91,593 |
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