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Secondary school principal vs superintendent

The differences between secondary school principals and superintendents 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 superintendent. Additionally, a secondary school principal has an average salary of $92,688, which is higher than the $82,458 average annual salary of a superintendent.

The top three skills for a secondary school principal include curriculum development, student achievement and staff development. The most important skills for a superintendent are OSHA, quality standards, and construction management.

Secondary school principal vs superintendent overview

Secondary School PrincipalSuperintendent
Yearly salary$92,688$82,458
Hourly rate$44.56$39.64
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs58,24522,580
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Secondary school principal vs superintendent salary

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

Secondary School PrincipalSuperintendent
Average salary$92,688$82,458
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $134,000Between $57,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CityMenlo Park, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyRhode Island
Best paying companyJefferson County Public SchoolBP America Inc
Best paying industryEducationConstruction

Differences between secondary school principal and superintendent education

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

Secondary School PrincipalSuperintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorEducational LeadershipBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Secondary school principal vs superintendent demographics

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

Secondary School PrincipalSuperintendent
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 70.8% Female, 29.2%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between secondary school principal and superintendent 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.

Superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage, coordinate, plan and provide oversight for all nuclear work perform during PSA's.
  • Manage $9.1M budget; 28,000 grind and flight training requirements and 2,400 hr flying training program.
  • Manage a team of 30 operators and maintenance personnel producing extrusion and blown polypropylene shrink film on a unionize site.
  • Lead and facilitate meetings; oversee implementation of OSHA and company safety regulations.
  • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
  • Coordinate and oversee commercial roofing projects.
  • Show more

Secondary school principal vs superintendent 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 superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Logistics, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%

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