Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The average salary for a Principal Secretary in the United States is approximately $33,699 annually or $16 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, experience, and specific industry. For instance, states with higher costs of living or greater demand for administrative support roles often offer more competitive salaries.
Entry-level positions typically start at lower salary ranges, while those with several years of experience can expect higher earnings. For example, a Principal Secretary with over ten years in the field may earn upwards of $40,000 annually.
States like California and New York tend to offer the highest salaries for this role, reflecting the increased demand for skilled administrative professionals in major metropolitan areas. Additionally, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans often enhance overall compensation packages for Principal Secretaries.
Those interested in pursuing a career as a Principal Secretary can explore job openings through platforms like Zippia, which connects job seekers with potential employers and provides valuable insights into career paths.
Let Zippi find your next principal secretary job
Let Zippi find your next principal secretary job
The average principal secretary salary in Hawaii, California, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average principal secretary salary states are South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $41,238 | $19.83 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $41,507 | $19.96 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $40,767 | $19.60 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $37,139 | $17.86 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $38,917 | $18.71 |
| 6 | Oregon | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $46,998 | $22.60 |
| 8 | Vermont | $34,892 | $16.77 |
| 9 | New York | $38,857 | $18.68 |
| 10 | Colorado | $37,640 | $18.10 |
| 11 | Alaska | $44,438 | $21.36 |
| 12 | Nevada | $37,373 | $17.97 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $37,195 | $17.88 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $38,272 | $18.40 |
| 15 | California | $44,589 | $21.44 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $32,403 | $15.58 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $33,144 | $15.93 |
| 18 | Arizona | $32,557 | $15.65 |
| 19 | Kansas | $33,380 | $16.05 |
| 20 | Utah | $36,102 | $17.36 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $32,956 | $15.84 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $31,809 | $15.29 |
| 23 | Idaho | $32,154 | $15.46 |
| 24 | Maine | $33,302 | $16.01 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $31,429 | $15.11 |
| 26 | Illinois | $32,876 | $15.81 |
| 27 | Alabama | $31,288 | $15.04 |
| 28 | Maryland | $32,364 | $15.56 |
| 29 | Delaware | $32,487 | $15.62 |
| 30 | Montana | $30,589 | $14.71 |
| 31 | Michigan | $31,552 | $15.17 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $30,761 | $14.79 |
| 33 | Missouri | $32,002 | $15.39 |
| 34 | Texas | $30,969 | $14.89 |
| 35 | Ohio | $30,001 | $14.42 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $30,765 | $14.79 |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $34,604 | $16.64 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $29,734 | $14.30 |
| 39 | Virginia | $28,877 | $13.88 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $29,612 | $14.24 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $29,397 | $14.13 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $28,555 | $13.73 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $27,696 | $13.32 |
| 44 | Iowa | $29,745 | $14.30 |
| 45 | Florida | $27,628 | $13.28 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $29,884 | $14.37 |
| 47 | Georgia | $28,152 | $13.53 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $28,179 | $13.55 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $28,434 | $13.67 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $27,708 | $13.32 |
| 51 | Indiana | $26,946 | $12.95 |
The highest-paying cities for principal secretaries are Milpitas, CA, Edina, MN, and Westminster, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milpitas, CA | $45,287 | $21.77 |
| 2 | Edina, MN | $40,791 | $19.61 |
| 3 | Westminster, CO | $37,684 | $18.12 |
| 4 | Kansas City, KS | $33,347 | $16.03 |
| 5 | El Paso, TX | $32,874 | $15.80 |
| 6 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $32,188 | $15.47 |
| 7 | Wentzville, MO | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| 8 | Pocatello, ID | $31,677 | $15.23 |
| 9 | Dubuque, IA | $29,955 | $14.40 |
| 10 | Alamogordo, NM | $29,325 | $14.10 |
A principal secretary's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $41,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $33,699 | $2,808 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
The highest paying types of principal secretaries are assistant secretary, executive secretary, and manager's assistant/administrative assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Coordinator | $40,599 | $3,383 | $19.52 | 70,663 |
| Department Secretary | $35,473 | $2,956 | $17.05 | 80,303 |
| Receptionist Secretary | $29,343 | $2,445 | $14.11 | 61,892 |
| Secretary | $36,442 | $3,037 | $17.52 | 69,315 |
| Administrator Secretary | $34,336 | $2,861 | $16.51 | 99,520 |
| School Secretary | $35,126 | $2,927 | $16.89 | 75,656 |
Top companies hiring principal secretaries now:
Principal secretary salaries at Edina Public Schools and Lodi Unified School District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average principal secretary salary at companies like Northern Michigan University and Jeffrey C Still Middle School are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edina Public Schools | $34,818 | $16.74 |
| 2 | Lodi Unified School District | $33,156 | $15.94 |
| 3 | Northern Michigan University | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| 4 | Jeffrey C Still Middle School | $31,516 | $15.15 |
| 5 | Alamogordo Public Schools | $30,819 | $14.82 |
| 6 | Wentzville R Iv School District | $30,339 | $14.59 |
| 7 | Vista Unified | $30,043 | $14.44 |
| 8 | Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 | $24,693 | $11.87 |
The average principal secretary salary has risen by $6,054 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average principal secretary earned $27,645 annually, but today, they earn $33,699 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for principal secretaries over the last decade.
Compare principal secretary salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare principal secretary salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,700 | $16.20 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $32,700 | $15.72 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $31,800 | $15.28 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $30,900 | $14.84 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $30,200 | $14.52 | +2.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore Regional High School District | Principal Secretary ( | West Long Branch, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $61,479 |
| South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District | Principal Secretary | Enon, OH | 06/27/2025 | $39,277 |
| Academy District 20 | Principal's Secretary (200 Days, M-F Hrs/Day) (VHS) | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/27/2025 | $47,584 |
| Brownsville Independent School District (Tx | Principal Secretary Pool (ALL Campuses) | Brownsville, TX | 06/26/2025 | $34,811 |
| Lyon County School District | Smith Valley Principals Secretary .25 | Yerington, NV | 06/26/2025 | $42,867 |
| Gloucester Township Public Schools | Principal's Secretary- | Blackwood, NJ | 06/25/2025 | $30,524 |
| Albuquerque Public Schools | Secretary Lead 248) Principal Secretary/Bookkeeper | Albuquerque, NM | 06/25/2025 | $31,931 |
| Wentzville R-IV School District | Principal Secretary | Noel, MO | 06/19/2025 | $36,397 |
| Crosby Indep School District | CKC: Principal's Secretary | Crosby, TX | 06/19/2025 | $36,523 |
| Crosby Independent School District (Tx | CKC: Principal's Secretary | Crosby, TX | 06/18/2025 | $36,523 |
Search for principal secretary jobs