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The differences between middle school principals and middle school teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a middle school principal, becoming a middle school teacher takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a middle school principal has an average salary of $92,607, which is higher than the $53,363 average annual salary of a middle school teacher.
The top three skills for a middle school principal include professional growth, instructional program and student achievement. The most important skills for a middle school teacher are classroom management, professional development, and math.
| Middle School Principal | Middle School Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $92,607 | $53,363 |
| Hourly rate | $44.52 | $25.66 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 59,247 | 82,230 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A middle school principal is an individual who is responsible for managing the operations of a school that caters to children from the fifth to the eighth grades. This principal must supervise the responsibilities of all employees of the school, such as teachers, maintenance workers, and administrative staff members. The principal is required to conduct regular staff and parents' meetings to create a cooperative relationship that supports student learning. This principle must also lead and direct the development of educational programs that can optimize learning among middle school students.
A middle school teacher is responsible for teaching students in grades six to eight, following a curriculum that fits on their grade levels to prepare them for the next advancement. Middle school teachers strategize effective lesson plans, engaging activities, and assessments to test the students' knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. They also observe the personal and developmental behaviors of the students by conducting group activities and performance. A middle school teacher identifies the students' strengths and weaknesses, adjusting the learning approach as needed to cater to each student's needs and difficulties.
Middle school principals and middle school teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Middle School Principal | Middle School Teacher | |
| Average salary | $92,607 | $53,363 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $137,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | Paulding County High School | Baltimore City Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a middle school principal and a middle school teacher in terms of educational background:
| Middle School Principal | Middle School Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Educational Leadership | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between middle school principals' and middle school teachers' demographics:
| Middle School Principal | Middle School Teacher | |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 9% |