School principals in the United States typically earn an average annual salary ranging from about $100,000 to $120,000, but this varies widely depending on factors like school level, location, experience, and school district budget. Average Salary Ranges by School Level:
- Elementary School Principals: $80,000 to $120,000
- Middle School Principals: $85,000 to $125,000
- High School Principals: $90,000 to $135,000 or more
Median and Average Salaries:
- The median annual wage for elementary, middle, and high school principals was approximately $104,070 as of May 2024
- The average salary reported by Indeed is about $117,976 per year as of May 2025
- Salary.com reports an average of $120,546 annually, with a typical range between $93,658 and $149,321
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a median salary around $103,460
Influencing Factors:
- Location: Principals in urban or high cost-of-living areas tend to earn more. For example, states like Wisconsin, Alaska, Massachusetts, and Oregon offer some of the highest principal salaries, exceeding $110,000 annually
- Experience: Salaries generally increase with years of experience.
- School district budgets and local policies also impact pay.
- Private school principals may earn more than public school principals
In some large metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, principals can earn salaries up to $180,000 per year
. In summary, while the average principal salary is around $100,000 to $120,000, individual salaries can range from under $80,000 to well over $150,000 depending on various factors.
