Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob Outlook

Compare

FAQsPart Time jobsFull Time jobsWork From Home jobsLocationsInterview Questions

Principal vs school administrator

The differences between principals and school administrators 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 a school administrator. Additionally, a principal has an average salary of $111,719, which is higher than the $48,331 average annual salary of a school administrator.

The top three skills for a principal include CRM, project management and financial services. The most important skills for a school administrator are student issues, student attendance, and curriculum development.

Principal vs school administrator overview

PrincipalSchool Administrator
Yearly salary$111,719$48,331
Hourly rate$53.71$23.24
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs84,01573,018
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Principal vs school administrator salary

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

PrincipalSchool Administrator
Average salary$111,719$48,331
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $179,000Between $31,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyKKR & Co. L.P.KIPP Northern California Public Schools
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between principal and school administrator education

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

PrincipalSchool Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessEducation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Principal vs school administrator demographics

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

PrincipalSchool Administrator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 65.6% Female, 34.4%Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%
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, 12.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.3% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between principal and school administrator 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

School administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media profiles through Facebook for important details and dates pertaining to HeartChase.
  • Provide administrative duties for Pre-K to 7th grade.
  • Perform presentations using Smartboard, Powerpoint, and Smilebox.
  • Lead teacher for pre-k class specializing in children with special needs.
  • Spearhead efforts to raise student literacy and math scores on standardize tests.
  • Assist or lead meetings including faculty, IEP, and RTI small group.
    • Show more

Principal vs school administrator skills

Common principal skills
  • CRM, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • Professional Services, 5%
  • ERP, 5%
Common school administrator skills
  • Student Issues, 21%
  • Student Attendance, 19%
  • Curriculum Development, 9%
  • Classroom Management, 6%
  • School Administration, 5%
  • Payroll, 4%

Principal vs. similar jobs

Principal related careers

Principal related jobs

Principal jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs