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What is a vice principal and how to become one
Vice principals, also called assistant principals, help principals with the overall administration of elementary, middle, or high schools. Their duties vary depending on the type and size of the school. However, they are responsible for helping the principal manage the teachers, communicate with parents, solve disciplinary problems, and manage the school budget. They set the school timetable each year to help determine class size. Likewise, they arrange teachers' schedules and decide the classes they will be assigned to. Asides from this, they conduct the interview, hiring, and selection process of the school staff.
Requirements vary by state. Generally, you require at least a bachelor's degree, educational training, and a state license. Candidates must have management, interpersonal, and communication skills. You must also be able to operate certain computer software programs and multimedia equipment. Vice principals make an average base pay of $90,101 annually. This varies between $53,000 and $152,000.
What general advice would you give to a Vice Principal?
Dr. Albert Boerema Ph.D.
Professor, Calvin University
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.
Avg. Salary $88,764
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 5%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%
Asian 4.41%
Black or African American 10.87%
Hispanic or Latino 14.54%
Unknown 4.01%
White 65.47%
Genderfemale 49.72%
male 50.28%
Age - 47American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 47Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Vice Principal career paths
Key steps to become a vice principal
Explore vice principal education requirements
Start to develop specific vice principal skills
Skills Percentages Curriculum Development 12.31% Vice-Principal 11.07% Classroom Management 9.65% Professional Development 9.55% Mathematics 3.66% Complete relevant vice principal training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New vice principals learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a vice principal based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real vice principal resumes.Research vice principal duties and responsibilities
- Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
- Educate students in economics, mathematics and social studies.
- Design and facilitate dynamic and effective staff development programs for language arts, mathematics, discipline, and character education.
- Serve as facilitator for IEP meetings and provide training and direction for ESE students.
Prepare your vice principal resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your vice principal resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a vice principal resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Vice Principal Resume templates
Build a professional Vice Principal resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Vice Principal resume.
Apply for vice principal jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a vice principal job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Vice Principal Job
Are you a Vice Principal?
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Average vice principal salary
The average Vice Principal salary in the United States is $88,764 per year or $43 per hour. Vice principal salaries range between $64,000 and $121,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do vice principals rate their job?
Vice Principal reviews
Working with children, teachers and parents. Developing programs to suit a child's needs and interests, mmoments in learning and understanding.
Pressure from parents, pressure from the board, stressful and time demanding obstacles. The fact that people treat you so utterly poorly once you become a Principal.
Updated January 8, 2025
