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Secondary school principal vs high school principal

The differences between secondary school principals and high 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 secondary school principal and a high school principal. Additionally, a high school principal has an average salary of $96,329, which is higher than the $92,688 average annual salary of a secondary school principal.

The top three skills for a secondary school principal include curriculum development, student achievement and staff development. The most important skills for a high school principal are student achievement, curriculum development, and staff development.

Secondary school principal vs high school principal overview

Secondary School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Yearly salary$92,688$96,329
Hourly rate$44.56$46.31
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs58,24561,948
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Secondary school principal vs high school principal salary

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

Secondary School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Average salary$92,688$96,329
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $134,000Between $70,000 And $131,000
Highest paying CityMenlo Park, CAEast Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyJefferson County Public SchoolJo-Ann Stores
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between secondary school principal and high school principal education

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

Secondary School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorEducational LeadershipEducational Leadership
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Secondary school principal vs high school principal demographics

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

Secondary School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 70.8% Female, 29.2%Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between secondary school principal and high school 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.

High school principal example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate teacher lead PBIS committee to implement effective school wide discipline campaigns and activities for students.
  • Create a PBIS system for teachers on how to manage behavior on a daily basis and reward positive outcomes.
  • Lead counselor meetings, IEP's, conduct parent/teacher meetings.
  • Assist in coordinating, developing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the IEP.
  • Co-Design kindergarten readiness program that will bring in-home and wrap around services to academically at-risk kindergarten students.
  • Result in international interest in available ESL programs.

Secondary school principal vs high school 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 high school principal skills
  • Student Achievement, 8%
  • Curriculum Development, 7%
  • Staff Development, 6%
  • Instructional Program, 6%
  • Professional Growth, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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