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Job outlook for secondary school principals in the United States
Secondary school principal job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected secondary school principal job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 14,200 new jobs for secondary school principals are projected over the next decade.
Secondary school principal salaries have increased 6% for secondary school principals in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,029 secondary school principals currently employed in the United States.
There are 58,245 active secondary school principal job openings in the US.
The average secondary school principal salary is $92,688.
Are secondary school principal jobs in demand?
Secondary school principal job and salary trends over time
Secondary school principal jobs over time
Secondary school principal job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,029 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,760 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,948 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,774 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,493 | 0.00% |
Average secondary school principal salary over time
Secondary school principal salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,688 | $44.56 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $90,721 | $43.62 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $89,696 | $43.12 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $88,830 | $42.71 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $87,061 | $41.86 | +2.3% |
Secondary school principal jobs by state
Most common states for secondary school principals
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 272 | 39% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 272 | 20% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 205 | 20% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 737 | 18% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,404 | 16% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 824 | 15% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,791 | 14% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,215 | 14% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 485 | 14% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 239 | 14% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 733 | 13% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 818 | 12% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,379 | 11% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 675 | 11% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 224 | 11% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 207 | 11% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 104 | 11% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 64 | 11% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 958 | 9% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 66 | 9% |
Most common cities for secondary school principals
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $59,211 |
Secondary School Principal job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of secondary school principal experts
Marymount University
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Ohio University
University of Illinois at Springfield
University of Kansas
Hiram College
Presbyterian College
Eastern Kentucky University
Calvin University
Central State University
What general advice would you give to a Secondary School Principal?
Dr. Matthew Ohlson Ph.D.: Principal: Learn, Learn, Learn! The beginning of your career is where the real skills training starts. Sign up for any training opportunities, volunteer for activities or committees and be engaged in professional development and not just a passive learner. Take every experience is a step towards your next role.
My Coaching with New Leaders: Coaching New Leaders: Daily Reflection and Growth
Parking Lot Rule: Each day, before leaving school, take a moment to reflect on one positive thing you accomplished. Whether it's supporting a teacher, connecting with a student, or sharing school successes with a community member, focusing on these daily achievements will help you recognize and feel the impact of your leadership.
Mentorship: Seek guidance and support from experienced mentors who can provide valuable advice and perspective. Mentorship is a valuable resource as you navigate the challenges and responsibilities of your role.
Celebrate Successes: Have a clear vision of what success looks like for you (at work, at home, etc.) Recognize and celebrate your achievements and milestones.
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Matthew Ohlson Ph.D.: Become knowledgeable and most importantly, comfortable, sharing the data and impact you’ve had as a school leader. The use of data is so imperative to show progress towards long and short-term goals, for example: attendance gains, teacher retention rates, etc. School leaders can seek more compensation and larger responsibilities in more prominent roles when they are able to show how their leadership made a difference. Annual impact reports, data snapshots, student/teacher testimonials, etc. can illustrate how your leadership impacted teaching and learning.
Marcia Baldanza Ed.D.
Assistant ProfessorMarymount University
Educational Administration And Supervision
What general advice would you give to a Secondary School Principal?
Marcia Baldanza Ed.D.: Continuously Learn and Grow: Education and education leadership is a field that is constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest research, trends, and best practices in education. Take advantage of further education and professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge. Build Relationships: Effective leadership often hinges on collaboration and communication. Cultivate strong relationships with colleagues, teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders in the educational community. Lead by Example: Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to the values you want to instill in your educational community. Your actions will set the tone for others to follow. Prioritize Equity and Inclusion: Strive to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment where all students feel valued and supported. Be mindful of systemic barriers and work to address them proactively. Focus on Student Success: Keep the best interests of students at the forefront of your decision-making process. You can't go wrong! Champion initiatives that promote academic achievement, personal growth, and well-being.
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marcia Baldanza Ed.D.: Technology in the Service of Learning: With the ongoing integration of technology in education, school leaders must possess strong digital literacy skills and be adept at leveraging technology to enhance teaching, learning, and administrative processes. Data Analysis with Decision-Making: As data-driven decision-making becomes more prevalent and important, school leaders will need to be proficient in analyzing various types of data, including academic performance metrics, student demographics, and financial data, to inform strategic planning and resource allocation. Cultural Competency and Equity Advocacy: With a growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, school leaders must demonstrate cultural competency and advocate for equitable practices that address the needs of all students, regardless of background or identity. Adaptability and Change Management: In an era of constant change and uncertainty, school leaders must be adaptable and agile, capable of navigating complex challenges and leading their schools through transitions effectively. Innovative Pedagogies and Personalized Learning: School leaders should champion innovative pedagogical approaches and personalized learning strategies that cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of students, preparing them for success in the 21st-century workforce. Emotional Intelligence and Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build positive relationships are essential for fostering a supportive school culture and nurturing a sense of belonging among students, staff, and families.
What general advice would you give to a Secondary School Principal?
Larry Arant MSRS, RT(R)(CT)(MR): Stay teachable, network, embrace diversity and inclusion, develop strong communication skills.
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Larry Arant MSRS, RT(R)(CT)(MR): Digital literacy, online teaching and learning expertise, cultural competence and inclusivity, emotional intelligence and empathy.
Vernon Smith
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Vernon Smith: Strong knowledge base, technical skills and interpersonal skills. If given a small school, work to become the building leader of a larger school. After you have gotten some on the job experience, seek central administrative positions.
What will help Secondary School Principals increase their earning potential?
Vernon Smith: If you have successfully completed the program for Educational Leadership, then you are ready to start demonstrating your skills. Mastering the Educational leadership program, you have the knowledge base, the technical skills, and interpersonal skills to be successful as an educational leader. You must believe in yourself. Even if a secured position is not immediately forthcoming, never give up. Remember, stop signs were made for traffic, not for people. The battle is not over until you quit.
I am confident that we have instilled within you some passion; show it. Passion will take you far. You are human and humans make mistakes. Let every set-back become an opportunity for a comeback. Strive to become better. Listen to learn and learn to improve. Every day you wake up feel excited and grateful. Each day gives you another chance to demonstrate to all observers that you can make a positive difference in the academic achievement of your students. Never forget if you are not progressing, then you are regressing. Take the initiative. Turn your good into better and your better into best.
Stay focused and Involve others in the quest for excellence. Remember that none of us are as smart as all of us. You make more touchdowns when all players are going in the same direction. Collaborative and collegial leaders are winners….and you are a winner.
Dr. Dwan Robinson PhD
Associate Professor of Educational LeadershipOhio University
Educational Administration And Supervision
What general advice would you give to a Secondary School Principal?
Dr. Dwan Robinson PhD: Given that many of our graduates have had opportunities to develop and refine their leadership skills while at OHIO:
I would suggest that our graduates seek opportunities where there is growth potential and future career opportunities for advancing in educational leadership.
I would encourage them to explore positions where they have the chance to impact the organization with the educational leadership and related expertise that they have cultivated.
I would also suggest that graduates reflect on how their expertise and experiences connect with the various roles and pathways that they are seeking in education so that they can imagine what their trajectories might be in the careers that they aspire to in the field of education.
What will help Secondary School Principals increase their earning potential?
Dr. Dwan Robinson PhD: Creatively articulate the skills and expertise that you bring to the education profession and connect those proficiencies to show alignment with the needs of the career that you are seeking.
Be forward thinking about how you can impact the field of education broadly and specifically to the organization you endeavor to join.
Share ideas regarding how your experience can enhance the work that the organization you are moving into and articulate how you will help the organization achieve goals and realize positive outcomes.
Show an understanding about the field and the current landscape that the educational organization is operating in and be visionary about how your expertise connects with the visions and goals that employers have for their organization.
Leonard Bogle Ed. D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Springfield
Educational Administration And Supervision
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leonard Bogle Ed. D.: Prioritize the tasks in front of you. Don't rush into making a decision. Make certain you
have obtained all of the facts before you tell others your decision. Make a list of things
you need to do each morning then decide which of these absolutely must be done that
day and which can be done later. Then, check them off as they are taken care of so
you can see the progress made each day.
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hamlet Hernandez: This is difficult question to answer. If money is your driver, you may be frustrated. Clearly having a Sixth-Year
diploma in education is much more marketable than simply having the 092 certification. It is my hope that the
demos see the great value of and connection to, education has on a thriving democracy. Recognizing this
importance may result in higher wages but it may not....do the right thing, for the right reasons, and the right
way and you will be rewarded intrinsically and maybe even monetarily.
What will help Secondary School Principals increase their earning potential?
Hamlet Hernandez: Entering the field of public-school administration is not for the faint of heart. I would encourage all graduates
to think deeply as to why they have chosen to enter the field; it is noble and worthy of our time and talent to
become leaders in public education that contribute to the betterment of society through selfless service, so that
all students receive an appropriate and equitable education. Dispositionally, we would converse about the
importance of patience and compassion and how steady leadership not showy leadership will transcend
expectations. I would also add it is always about who gets the benefit of your work and not the credit.
On a practical level, I would encourage young administrators to balance their professional life with the other
equally important parts of their life. Administration is stressful and demanding, and at times lonely. Knowing
yourself and embracing personal and professional growth will sustain you through swerve of sway of
leadership.
What general advice would you give to a Secondary School Principal?
Rolf Straubhaar: Being a school leader is one of the most time and energy-intensive careers in the US. On a day-to-day basis, you are leading professional development, doing walk-throughs in classrooms, handling student discipline, talking with parents, advocating for your school and community to higher-ups at the district and state level-in general, you are putting out both literal and metaphorical fires all day to make sure the kids in your school building feel safe and learn.
What Secondary School Principal skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rolf Straubhaar: Due to the many political pressures on public education right now (including culture wars about book banning, what curricula are used in classrooms, and funding fights over school vouchers in most statehouses), many potential school leaders are choosing not to enter the profession right now. That is a shame, as their leadership is particularly needed at this time-it is a time when school leaders who are willing to advocate for and on behalf of their schools and communities can do an incredible amount of good.
What will help Secondary School Principals increase their earning potential?
Rolf Straubhaar: People love the meaning being a school leader brings to their lives, as on a day-to-day basis you are making a direct impact on the lives and futures of children. They dislike having to deal with unnecessary and distracting political fights that do nothing to improve the lives of children.
Dr. Joseph Novak
Senior Lecturer, Director, Professional Development School Program Coordinator, Instructor and Advisor for the School of Education Master's program in Building Level Leadership.University of Kansas
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Secondary School Principals?
Dr. Joseph Novak: The obvious technical skills employers in the education field will look for is an entrepreneurial competency in the use of emerging technologies and associated applications to reach students via the virtual venue.
How have salaries changed over time for Secondary School Principals?
Dr. Joseph Novak: While salaries in the field of education continue to make progress, teacher salaries and pay raises remain below competitive jobs requiring similar levels of education/training.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Secondary School Principal job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Joseph Novak: The pandemic has heightened the awareness and in addressing the needs of all stakeholders affiliated with schools. The resulting stress, anxiety, and uncertainty exacerbated by the pandemic has led to a need for more support services for students, staff, and parents. The pandemic has also exposed a lack of training and resources for successful and effective virtual learning. Even though, schools may return to face-to-face learning, the growing use and popularity of virtual learning begs for additional resources and learning. Finally, the pandemic has created a real financial uncertainty for schools. Until the federal, state, and local economies recover and thrive, education will be faced with lay-offs and detriments to needed services.
What technical skills for a Secondary School Principal stand out to employers?
Jennifer McCreight: Tech skills have increasingly played a central role in K-12 classrooms, as educators have at their fingertips devices and applications that are incredible assets to learning - from accessibility features, to interactive presentations that gather real-time info on students' understanding of content, to the ability of the students themselves to create videos, podcasts, and more. Teachers entering classrooms must be able to recognize the powerful gains that can be made in students' learning as a result of incorporating technologies, and know when and how to use it to support them. And of course, recent graduates entering classrooms will be expected to move between the platforms of Zoom or Google Meet, to bring in learners who may be at home, and to engage them actively in learning experiences - which is no small task!
Just as importantly, though, as we come out of the pandemic and reckon with children's and adolescents' increased use of screens, educators may also find that we need to use technology in classrooms more sparingly when possible. They will continue to ask themselves, even more urgently than they did pre-pandemic, whether technologies add to educational experiences or complicate them. Graduates will be faced with these questions as they move into their own classrooms, and we joyfully adjust to the eventuality of more in-person learning. This will be a wonderful challenge to face - that is, determining what innovations have resulted from the constraints of the pandemic, and what we will be happy to let go of when we are able. I am sure educators will embrace these conversations with zeal!
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.
ChairPresbyterian College
Education Department
What type of skills will young Secondary School Principals need?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: Graduates need good writing and communication skills in the workforce. They also need skills for working well with people and helping to solve problems that arise. They also need a strong work ethic. Absences in the workforce continue to rise, and our graduates need to have a strong work ethic to compete and keep a job.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Secondary School Principals?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: I feel that in the short term, graduates might have a harder time finding jobs. I don't think this will be something that endures for more than another 18 months. Once the vaccine is widely distributed, and people continue to wear masks and social distance, things will begin to get back to a "new normal."
What experience really stands out on Secondary School Principal resumes?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: What always seems to stand out is their community service and engagement beyond academics. Also, if they have done some sort of an internship in their field, this gives them a hiring advantage.
What are the best companies to work for a Secondary School Principal?
Dr. Faye Deters: Graduates with degrees in Educational Leadership typically seek employment as leaders within public school districts and private or charter schools.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Secondary School Principals in the next 5 years?
Dr. Faye Deters: The Bureau for Labor Statistics predicts 4% job growth (average) for this field over the next nine years.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Secondary School Principals, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Albert Boerema Ph.D.: If this question is essential to potential educational leaders, I would recommend looking for some other career. Working in schools, and mainly working as a school leader, and even more notably, during the covid situation, is just hard, hard work. Potential school leaders need to enter the profession out of a desire to serve their schools, the students, families, and staff. Salaries are essential to maintain one's life, but they are not the goal. If salaries become the goal, the job will never be satisfying.
What general advice would you give to a Secondary School Principal?
Dr. Albert Boerema Ph.D.: As one begins a career in educational leadership, the temptation is to pay attention to organizational details, to help things run smoothly, to avoid controversy. My advice is that while those are important, they are not at the center of leading. Instead, there needs to be a focus on issues of equity and justice. It turns out that organizational details do reflect those issues. Still, suppose we do not focus, first of all, on this big picture, getting the "trains to run on time" without thinking about justice. In that case, we will instead wind up maintaining a status quo that privileges some and marginalizes others. The core challenge of leadership is keeping justice at the center.
This is true for all leadership work. In school or educational leadership, it means paying attention to how pedagogical, curricular, and assessment choices provide real opportunities for those on the margins to thrive.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Secondary School Principals in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Albert Boerema Ph.D.: I have been involved with school leadership for a long time-18 years as a high school principal and 15 years as an educational leadership professor. This is long enough to know that technology continues to change, and digital technology changes at a fast pace. I have watched new technologies become touted as the answer to our challenges in education. Over the years, I have been involved with preparing school teachers and leaders.
I have watched them be advised to become proficient, even expert, at particular technological innovation. What has been interesting about that is the specific innovation recommendations change over the years. It has become clear to me that there is no technical fix to the challenge of education. It is just challenging work. Digital technology can make some aspects of it more comfortable. It can make it possible to continue our work, as we have discovered during the covid situation, but helping children grow and develop will always be hard work.
Nathan Boles
Assistant Professor of INS (Intervention Specialist) ProgramCentral State University
College of Education
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Secondary School Principals to find work opportunities?
Nathan Boles: Graduates looking for their first teaching opportunity in the field of teaching will find many available in the majority of states. COVID has caused many educators to take early retirement and has caused the teacher to student ratio to decrease, leaving school districts desperately looking for new teachers. Many school districts are hiring students for January 2021, providing them with the opportunity to get an alternate license for teaching while still taking their student teaching and passing their required licensure tests. It is a crucial time in our country; this is an opportunity for educator-practitioners to get their foot in the door early. At current, I have personally seen four student teachers get hired in one school district in two weeks. The need is great, and providing free and appropriate education for all students is vital!
How do you envision technology impacting Secondary School Principals in the next 5 years?
Nathan Boles: Technology has defined how 21st-century students are learning new material. COVID has also exposed how prepared our school districts are with providing the curriculum virtually and how much educators know about and how to use technology. We are in a time when teachers are not considered the primary source of information, but only one of many sources. The impact of technology in the next five years will be even more significant due to the need and development of online and hybrid learning. Young graduates will need to familiarize themselves with teaching in a face-to-face environment and teach virtually, using new technology. Graduates should know more than the basics when using technology and how they can be innovative for the future of educational technology.