Post job

Master teacher vs principal

The differences between master teachers and principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a principal has an average salary of $111,719, which is higher than the $38,699 average annual salary of a master teacher.

The top three skills for a master teacher include classroom management, math and instructional strategies. The most important skills for a principal are CRM, project management, and financial services.

Master teacher vs principal overview

Master TeacherPrincipal
Yearly salary$38,699$111,719
Hourly rate$18.61$53.71
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs75,39084,015
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4247
Years of experience-4

What does a master teacher do?

A master teacher has mastered the basics of teaching and goes the extra mile to ensure every student has a positive learning experience. Their duties include conducting regular monitoring, adjusting their teaching strategy where necessary, engaging in systematic problem solving, and teaching personal accountability. Qualifications for this position include a master teacher certification.

What does a principal do?

A principal is responsible for maintaining the orderliness of the school premises and supervising school operations, enforcing strict safety standards, and reiterating regulatory procedures. Principals' duties also include managing and monitoring school budget and expenses, improving security plans, conducting regular meetings and sharing updates with teachers and other school personnel, creating reports for school funding, and setting academic goals for everyone's compliance. A principal must administer excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills to handle major administrative tasks in maintaining the school's growth.

Master teacher vs principal salary

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

Master TeacherPrincipal
Average salary$38,699$111,719
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $59,000Between $69,000 And $179,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyNew York UniversityKKR & Co. L.P.
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between master teacher and principal education

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

Master TeacherPrincipal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorElementary EducationBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Master teacher vs principal demographics

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

Master TeacherPrincipal
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 18.6% Female, 81.4%Male, 65.6% Female, 34.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%16%

Differences between master teacher and principal duties and responsibilities

Master teacher example responsibilities.

  • Execute and manage student IEP paperwork and requirements
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Provide city-wide staff development to teachers during mathematics textbook implementation.
  • Develop summer science camp and focus field trip curriculum for pre-K through middle school levels.
  • Develop and implement weekly lesson plans that are consistent with the program curriculum and pre-K guidelines.
  • Implement multiple curricula for 5th and 6th grade students, including mathematics, science, literacy, and history.
  • Show more

Principal example responsibilities.

  • Manage all documentation associate with FMLA, ADA, & DOL requests.
  • Develop schedules, payroll, and manage recruiting, hiring and company standards to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Launch, continue to manage, and act as primary portfolio manager and trader for boutique investment consulting firm.
  • Manage the RFP process for a new medical plan TPA delivering a savings of almost $1MM in fix costs.
  • Achieve 7-digit annual revenues from start-up in one year by capitalizing on accurate niche market gap and consumer demand identification.
  • Manage all human resource matters, including payroll and benefits administration.
  • Show more

Master teacher vs principal skills

Common master teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 17%
  • Math, 7%
  • Instructional Strategies, 7%
  • Mathematics, 5%
  • Team Planning, 5%
  • Child Care, 5%
Common principal skills
  • CRM, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • Professional Services, 5%
  • ERP, 5%

Browse education, training, and library jobs