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Secondary school principal vs assistant principal

The differences between secondary school principals and assistant 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 secondary school principal and an assistant principal. Additionally, a secondary school principal has an average salary of $92,688, which is higher than the $73,607 average annual salary of an assistant principal.

The top three skills for a secondary school principal include curriculum development, student achievement and staff development. The most important skills for an assistant principal are classroom management, curriculum development, and professional development.

Secondary school principal vs assistant principal overview

Secondary School PrincipalAssistant Principal
Yearly salary$92,688$73,607
Hourly rate$44.56$35.39
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs58,24542,186
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Secondary school principal vs assistant principal salary

Secondary school principals and assistant principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Secondary School PrincipalAssistant Principal
Average salary$92,688$73,607
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $134,000Between $57,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CityMenlo Park, CARedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyOregon
Best paying companyJefferson County Public SchoolPace University
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between secondary school principal and assistant principal education

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

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

Secondary school principal vs assistant principal demographics

Here are the differences between secondary school principals' and assistant principals' demographics:

Secondary School PrincipalAssistant Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 70.8% Female, 29.2%Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between secondary school principal and assistant principal duties and responsibilities

Secondary school principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Provide oversight of significant curriculum changes design to better meet the needs of the diverse student body.
  • Develop academic curriculum, prepare budget, execute in-service teacher training, oversight for discipline and athletic programs.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.

Assistant principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Create and manage projects that are research base to improve student success in the areas of mathematics for ESL students.
  • Manage special education department budget, student programming and IEP accommodations.
  • Conduct CSE and annual review meetings.
  • Plan, control, and direct the overall activities for students in grade Pre-K - 8th grade.
  • Coordinate RtI interventions and implementation at secondary level.
    • Show more

Secondary school principal vs assistant principal skills

Common secondary school principal skills
  • Curriculum Development, 11%
  • Student Achievement, 11%
  • Staff Development, 9%
  • School Administration, 9%
  • Instructional Program, 8%
  • Classroom Observations, 7%
Common assistant principal skills
  • Classroom Management, 8%
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Instructional Program, 5%
  • Math, 4%
  • Student Achievement, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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