How Much Does a Principal Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$105,870
Principals in the U.S. earn a median of $105,870 a year. Half of principals earn more than $105,870 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $167,770.
Pay percentiles for principals
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $76,280 |
| 25th | $86,040 |
| 50th (median) | $105,870 |
| 75th | $134,630 |
| 90th | $167,770 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary (SOC 11-9032). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for principals, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for principals
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $166,590 | +57% |
| California | $159,950 | +51% |
| Connecticut | $156,240 | +48% |
| New York | $138,830 | +31% |
| District of Columbia | $137,470 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $137,440 | +30% |
| Delaware | $132,710 | +25% |
| Maryland | $131,510 | +24% |
| Oregon | $130,050 | +23% |
| Utah | $128,880 | +22% |
| United States | $105,870 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many principals are there?
BLS counts about 328,330 principals employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary”. The most jobs are in Texas (37,140), California (31,370) and New York (19,210).
The mean (average) annual wage is $116,100, higher than the median of $105,870.
Frequently asked questions
How much do principals make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for principals, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $105,870.
Which state pays principals the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for principals at $166,590, +57% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for principals?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of principals earn less than $76,280 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.