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Principal vs elementary school principal

The differences between principals and elementary school 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 principal and an elementary school principal. Additionally, a principal has an average salary of $111,719, which is higher than the $92,372 average annual salary of an elementary school principal.

The top three skills for a principal include CRM, project management and financial services. The most important skills for an elementary school principal are professional development, student achievement, and school administration.

Principal vs elementary school principal overview

PrincipalElementary School Principal
Yearly salary$111,719$92,372
Hourly rate$53.71$44.41
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs84,01561,347
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

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.

What does an elementary school principal do?

An Elementary School Principal is responsible for managing public and private schools from kindergarten to middle school. They implement elementary curriculums, set performance goals, prepare budget reports, and perform other duties, as necessary.

Principal vs elementary school principal salary

Principals and elementary school principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

PrincipalElementary School Principal
Average salary$111,719$92,372
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $179,000Between $65,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYRidgefield, CT
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyKKR & Co. L.P.Robbinsdale Area Schools
Best paying industryProfessionalEducation

Differences between principal and elementary school principal education

There are a few differences between a principal and an elementary school principal in terms of educational background:

PrincipalElementary School Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessEducational Leadership
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Principal vs elementary school principal demographics

Here are the differences between principals' and elementary school principals' demographics:

PrincipalElementary School Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 65.6% Female, 34.4%Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between principal and elementary school principal duties and responsibilities

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

Elementary school principal example responsibilities.

  • Create a PBIS system for teachers on how to manage behavior on a daily basis and reward positive outcomes.
  • Assist teachers in the Pre-K and pre-school programs.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.
  • Help re-design the 6th grade program to promote smoother transition to jr. high.
  • Result in international interest in available ESL programs.

Principal vs elementary school principal skills

Common principal skills
  • CRM, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • Professional Services, 5%
  • ERP, 5%
Common elementary school principal skills
  • Professional Development, 9%
  • Student Achievement, 7%
  • School Administration, 6%
  • Elementary Schools, 5%
  • Staff Development, 5%
  • Professional Growth, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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