School Principal Salary Overview
The School Principal is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $103,460. Compensation typically ranges from $62,600 for entry-level positions to $158,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical School Principal in the US earns between $62,600 and $158,200 per year, with a median of $103,460.
School Principal Salary by Experience
Entry-level school principals earn around $67,249, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $139,671 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $62,076 | $30/hr | $49,852 |
| Mid | $103,460 | $50/hr | $75,411 |
| Senior | $136,567 | $66/hr | $95,258 |
| Lead | $154,155 | $74/hr | $105,644 |
School Principal Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a School Principal in each US state.
Pay for school principals varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,008 | $7,915 | $76,162 | 26.4% |
| Alaska | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| Arizona | $103,460 | $14,375 | $2,222 | $7,915 | $78,949 | 23.7% |
| Arkansas | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,326 | $7,915 | $76,844 | 25.7% |
| California | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,759 | $7,915 | $75,411 | 27.1% |
| Colorado | $103,460 | $14,375 | $3,892 | $7,915 | $77,278 | 25.3% |
| Connecticut | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,958 | $7,915 | $76,213 | 26.3% |
| Delaware | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,597 | $7,915 | $75,573 | 27.0% |
| District of Columbia | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,953 | $7,915 | $75,217 | 27.3% |
| Florida | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| Georgia | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,021 | $7,915 | $76,149 | 26.4% |
| Hawaii | $103,460 | $14,375 | $7,608 | $7,915 | $73,563 | 28.9% |
| Idaho | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,154 | $7,915 | $76,016 | 26.5% |
| Illinois | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,984 | $7,915 | $76,186 | 26.4% |
| Indiana | $103,460 | $14,375 | $3,156 | $7,915 | $78,015 | 24.6% |
| Iowa | $103,460 | $14,375 | $3,931 | $7,915 | $77,239 | 25.3% |
| Kansas | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,240 | $7,915 | $75,930 | 26.6% |
| Kentucky | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,012 | $7,915 | $77,158 | 25.4% |
| Louisiana | $103,460 | $14,375 | $3,816 | $7,915 | $77,354 | 25.2% |
| Maine | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,860 | $7,915 | $75,310 | 27.2% |
| Maryland | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,743 | $7,915 | $76,427 | 26.1% |
| Massachusetts | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,953 | $7,915 | $76,217 | 26.3% |
| Michigan | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,159 | $7,915 | $77,011 | 25.6% |
| Minnesota | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,585 | $7,915 | $75,585 | 26.9% |
| Mississippi | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,285 | $7,915 | $76,886 | 25.7% |
| Missouri | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,095 | $7,915 | $77,075 | 25.5% |
| Montana | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,997 | $7,915 | $76,173 | 26.4% |
| Nebraska | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,521 | $7,915 | $76,649 | 25.9% |
| Nevada | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| New Hampshire | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| New Jersey | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,464 | $7,915 | $76,706 | 25.9% |
| New Mexico | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,075 | $7,915 | $77,095 | 25.5% |
| New York | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,430 | $7,915 | $75,740 | 26.8% |
| North Carolina | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,082 | $7,915 | $77,088 | 25.5% |
| North Dakota | $103,460 | $14,375 | $1,733 | $7,915 | $79,437 | 23.2% |
| Ohio | $103,460 | $14,375 | $2,151 | $7,915 | $79,019 | 23.6% |
| Oklahoma | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,424 | $7,915 | $76,746 | 25.8% |
| Oregon | $103,460 | $14,375 | $8,528 | $7,915 | $72,643 | 29.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $103,460 | $14,375 | $3,176 | $7,915 | $77,994 | 24.6% |
| Rhode Island | $103,460 | $14,375 | $3,679 | $7,915 | $77,491 | 25.1% |
| South Carolina | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,994 | $7,915 | $76,176 | 26.4% |
| South Dakota | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| Tennessee | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| Texas | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| Utah | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,811 | $7,915 | $76,359 | 26.2% |
| Vermont | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,888 | $7,915 | $76,283 | 26.3% |
| Virginia | $103,460 | $14,375 | $5,433 | $7,915 | $75,737 | 26.8% |
| Washington | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
| West Virginia | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,409 | $7,915 | $76,761 | 25.8% |
| Wisconsin | $103,460 | $14,375 | $4,396 | $7,915 | $76,775 | 25.8% |
| Wyoming | $103,460 | $14,375 | $0 | $7,915 | $81,170 | 21.5% |
Top Cities for School Principal Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for school principals tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $113,806 |
| San Francisco, CA | $113,806 |
| Newark, NJ | $113,806 |
| Hartford, CT | $113,806 |
| Boston, MA | $113,806 |
Calculate School Principal Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a School Principal
Becoming a school principal typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.School Principal Career Outlook
Employment of school principals is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.School Principal Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for school principals in the US is $103,460, with a typical range from $62,600 to $158,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for school principals include NJ, NY, CA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level school principals can expect to earn around $67,249 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a school principal can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for school principals is approximately $49.74, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.