Principal demographics and statistics in the US
Principal demographics research summary. Zippia estimates principal demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our principal estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about principals after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 96,439 principals currently employed in the United States.
- 34.4% of all principals are women, while 65.6% are men.
- The average principal age is 47 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of principals is White (66.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (14.0%), Black or African American (10.9%) and Asian (4.3%).
- Principals are most in-demand in New York, NY.
- The professional industry is the highest-paying for principals.
- New York, NY pays an annual average wage of $134,786, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women principals earned 92% of what men earned.
- 16% of all principals are LGBT.
- New York is the best state for principals to live.
- Principals are 42% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to education companies.
On this page
Principal demographics by:
Principal gender statistics
34.4% of principals are women and 65.6% of principals are men.
- Male, 65.6%
- Female, 34.4%
Principal gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 65.6% |
| Female | 34.4% |
Principal gender pay gap
Women earn 92¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$110,052
Female income
$100,891
Principal gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in principal positions over time. Currently, 34.4% of principals are female.
Principal gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 68.78% | 31.22% |
| 2011 | 68.85% | 31.15% |
| 2012 | 67.45% | 32.55% |
| 2013 | 69.36% | 30.64% |
| 2014 | 67.91% | 32.09% |
| 2015 | 67.67% | 32.33% |
| 2016 | 68.07% | 31.93% |
| 2017 | 66.67% | 33.33% |
| 2018 | 67.40% | 32.60% |
| 2019 | 65.97% | 34.03% |
| 2020 | 66.73% | 33.27% |
| 2021 | 65.64% | 34.36% |
Principal related jobs gender ratio
We compared principals with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, pipeline superintendent and agronomy research manager have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Nursing Director | 7% | 93% |
| Early Childhood Services Coordinator | 7% | 93% |
| Tourist Home Keeper | 8% | 92% |
| Principal | 66% | 34% |
| Station Superintendent | 98% | 2% |
| Agronomy Research Manager | 98% | 2% |
| Pipeline Superintendent | 99% | 1% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Principal demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among principals is White, which makes up 66.0% of all principals. Comparatively, 14.0% of principals are Hispanic or Latino and 10.9% of principals are Black or African American.
- White, 66.0%
- Hispanic or Latino, 14.0%
- Black or African American, 10.9%
- Asian, 4.3%
- Unknown, 4.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
Principal race
| Principal race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 66.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 14.0% |
| Black or African American | 10.9% |
| Asian | 4.3% |
| Unknown | 4.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.8% |
Principal race and ethnicity over time
See how principal racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Principal race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 70.68% | 12.09% | 3.82% | 11.22% |
| 2011 | 70.38% | 12.10% | 3.34% | 11.75% |
| 2012 | 70.25% | 11.74% | 3.69% | 11.96% |
| 2013 | 69.87% | 11.65% | 3.72% | 12.17% |
| 2014 | 69.39% | 11.26% | 4.24% | 12.72% |
| 2015 | 69.59% | 11.33% | 3.91% | 12.40% |
| 2016 | 69.18% | 10.76% | 4.28% | 13.02% |
| 2017 | 68.84% | 10.72% | 4.47% | 13.63% |
| 2018 | 68.88% | 10.88% | 4.41% | 13.41% |
| 2019 | 69.26% | 9.99% | 4.55% | 13.64% |
| 2020 | 68.08% | 9.93% | 4.67% | 12.97% |
| 2021 | 66.01% | 10.92% | 4.32% | 14.05% |
Principal wage gap by race
According to our data, asian principals have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. White principals have the lowest average salary at $107,594.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $111,331 |
| White | $107,594 |
| Black or African American | $108,357 |
| Asian | $111,592 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $111,454 |
Average principal age
See how the average age of principals varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Principal age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 47 | 49 |
| Unknown | 46 | 45 |
| Asian | 44 | 45.5 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 48 | 45 |
| White | 48 | 48 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 49.5 | 46 |
Principal age breakdown
The average age of principals is 40+ years years old, representing 75% of the principal population.
Principal age breakdown
| Principal Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 75% |
| 30-40 years | 21% |
| 20-30 years | 3% |
Principal educational attainment
The most common degree for principals is bachelor's degree, with 63% of principals earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 22% and master's degree degree at 6%.
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Master's, 22%
- Doctorate, 6%
- Associate, 5%
- Other Degrees, 4%
Principals by degree level
| Principal degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 63% |
| Master's | 22% |
| Doctorate | 6% |
| Associate | 5% |
| Other Degrees | 4% |
Principal jobs you might like
Principal wage gap by degree level
According to the data, principals with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $152,157 annually. With a Master's degree, principals earn a median annual income of $132,867 compared to $109,519 for principals with an Bachelor's degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $132,867 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $109,519 |
| Doctorate Degree | $152,157 |
Principal employment statistics
Most principals work for a private in the education industry.
Company size where principals work
Below, you can see the size of companies where principals work.
Principal jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 9% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 20% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 17% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 7% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 26% |
| > 10,000 employees | 22% |
Principal jobs by company type
Employees with the principal job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most principals prefer to work at private companies over education companies.
Principal jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 32% |
| Public | 23% |
| Private | 42% |
| Government | 3% |
Principal jobs by industry
The most common industries for principals are education, professional and technology.
Principal industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 28% |
| Professional | 14% |
| Technology | 12% |
| Fortune 500 | 9% |
| Finance | 8% |
| Media | 3% |
| Government | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
| Health Care | 3% |
| Start-up | 3% |
| Pharmaceutical | 2% |
| Telecommunication | 2% |
| Non Profits | 2% |
| Insurance | 2% |
| Energy | 2% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
| Hospitality | 1% |
| Retail | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
Principal turnover and employment statistics
Principal unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for principals between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Principal unemployment rate by year
| Year | Principal unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2.73% |
| 2011 | 2.70% |
| 2012 | 2.57% |
| 2013 | 2.68% |
| 2014 | 2.05% |
| 2015 | 1.69% |
| 2016 | 1.71% |
| 2017 | 1.44% |
| 2018 | 1.35% |
| 2019 | 1.23% |
| 2020 | 1.84% |
| 2021 | 1.95% |
Average principal tenure
The average principal stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 51,152 principals resumes in Zippia's database.
Principal tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 8% |
| 1-2 years | 25% |
| 3-4 years | 16% |
| 5-7 years | 18% |
| 8-10 years | 9% |
| 11+ years | 24% |
Principal LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of principals that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Area Superintendent | 4.08% | 31,923 |
| Gaming Director | 8.19% | 4,838 |
| Funeral Home Manager | 9.30% | 46,129 |
| Resident Manager | 11.54% | 17,468 |
| Nursing Services Manager | 11.66% | 140,521 |
| Trustee | 14.16% | 112 |
| Principal | 16.21% | - |
Similar principal jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Area Superintendent | 4.08% | 31,923 |
| Gaming Director | 8.19% | 4,838 |
| Funeral Home Manager | 9.30% | 46,129 |
| Resident Manager | 11.54% | 17,468 |
| Nursing Services Manager | 11.66% | 140,521 |
| Trustee | 14.16% | 112 |
Foreign languages spoken by principals
The most common foreign language among principals is Spanish at 41.1%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 17.5% and German is the third-most popular at 6.4%.
- Spanish, 41.1%
- French, 17.5%
- German, 6.4%
- Italian, 4.9%
- Chinese, 4.8%
- Other, 25.3%
Principal languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 41.1% |
| French | 17.5% |
| German | 6.4% |
| Italian | 4.9% |
| Chinese | 4.8% |
| Other | 25.3% |
