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School principal vs middle school principal

The differences between school principals and middle 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 school principal and a middle school principal. Additionally, a school principal has an average salary of $97,138, which is higher than the $92,607 average annual salary of a middle school principal.

The top three skills for a school principal include professional development, curriculum development and student achievement. The most important skills for a middle school principal are professional growth, instructional program, and student achievement.

School principal vs middle school principal overview

School PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Yearly salary$97,138$92,607
Hourly rate$46.70$44.52
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs60,09359,247
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a school principal do?

A School Principal supervises and directs education and teaching programs within a school. They develop and implement policies, programs, curriculum activities, budgets, and more.

What does a middle school principal do?

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.

School principal vs middle school principal salary

School principals and middle school principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

School PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Average salary$97,138$92,607
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $131,000Between $62,000 And $137,000
Highest paying CityNewark, NJOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyLexington School and Center for the DeafPaulding County High School
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between school principal and middle school principal education

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

School PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorEducational LeadershipEducational Leadership
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

School principal vs middle school principal demographics

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

School PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 44.6% Female, 55.4%Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between school principal and middle school principal duties and responsibilities

School principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead school in partnership with local high school to promote higher math, science and technology achievement.
  • Create a PBIS system for teachers on how to manage behavior on a daily basis and reward positive outcomes.
  • Train volunteers to reach kids for Christ.
  • Experience with the Scott Foresman mathematics series for second grade.
  • Interview and hire summer school teaching staff in grades Pre-K through 5thgrade.
  • Design and implement the district's transition to``all-day kindergarten".
  • Show more

Middle school principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.
  • Collaborate with special education teachers and direct all IEP conferences.
  • Support CTSO participation and advocate for the increase of more organizations on campus by building partnerships within the community.

School principal vs middle school principal skills

Common school principal skills
  • Professional Development, 12%
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Student Achievement, 6%
  • Professional Growth, 5%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • School Administration, 4%
Common middle school principal skills
  • Professional Growth, 6%
  • Instructional Program, 6%
  • Student Achievement, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 5%
  • Staff Development, 5%
  • School Administration, 5%

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