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K-12 school principal vs vice principal

The differences between k-12 school principals and vice principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a k-12 school principal and a vice principal. Additionally, a vice principal has an average salary of $88,764, which is higher than the $67,099 average annual salary of a k-12 school principal.

The top three skills for a k-12 school principal include curriculum development, professional development and mathematics. The most important skills for a vice principal are curriculum development, vice-principal, and classroom management.

K-12 school principal vs vice principal overview

K-12 School PrincipalVice Principal
Yearly salary$67,099$88,764
Hourly rate$32.26$42.67
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs59,72967,974
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

K-12 school principal vs vice principal salary

K-12 school principals and vice principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

K-12 School PrincipalVice Principal
Average salary$67,099$88,764
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $131,000Between $64,000 And $121,000
Highest paying City-Paterson, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Princeton Public Schools
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between k-12 school principal and vice principal education

There are a few differences between a k-12 school principal and a vice principal in terms of educational background:

K-12 School PrincipalVice Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorEducationEducational Leadership
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

K-12 school principal vs vice principal demographics

Here are the differences between k-12 school principals' and vice principals' demographics:

K-12 School PrincipalVice Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 63.7% Female, 36.3%Male, 50.3% Female, 49.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between k-12 school principal and vice principal duties and responsibilities

K-12 school principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.

Vice principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Educate students in economics, mathematics and social studies.
  • Design and facilitate dynamic and effective staff development programs for language arts, mathematics, discipline, and character education.
  • Serve as facilitator for IEP meetings and provide training and direction for ESE students.
  • Conduct IEP when necessary both with and without parents when age of student are appropriate.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.
  • Show more

K-12 school principal vs vice principal skills

Common k-12 school principal skills
  • Curriculum Development, 39%
  • Professional Development, 19%
  • Mathematics, 16%
  • Instructional Leadership, 14%
  • Staff Development, 12%
Common vice principal skills
  • Curriculum Development, 12%
  • Vice-Principal, 11%
  • Classroom Management, 10%
  • Professional Development, 10%
  • Mathematics, 4%
  • Staff Development, 3%

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