Position
Salary

How much does a Principal make?

The average salary for a Principal is $109,011 per year in the US.

Principals have a rewarding job in school administration. They earn a good salary that reflects their important work. The average yearly salary for a principal is $109,011. This means that many principals make more than this amount.

The salary for principals varies based on experience and location. For example, some principals with less experience earn around $36,000 a year. More experienced principals can earn up to $244,008 a year. This range shows that there are good opportunities for growth and higher earnings.

View Principal jobs nearby

What are the highest paying cities for a Principal?

Principal jobs pay well in several cities. San Francisco leads with the highest average salary at $203,418. Job seekers might also find great opportunities in Boulder, where the average salary is $201,619. Other cities also offer competitive salaries. Seattle pays $187,990, and Boston pays $169,146. These cities provide strong career options for those seeking high-paying principal roles.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Principal jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $203,418 and Austin, TX with the lowest at $141,586.
  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $203,418
    In San Francisco, tech giants like Google and Salesforce offer exciting career opportunities. The city boasts a vibrant culture and a strong focus on innovation.
    Find Principal jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Boulder, CO
    Average Salary: $201,619
    Boulder provides a blend of outdoor adventure and tech opportunities. Companies like Google and MongoDB are present, offering dynamic work environments.
    Find Principal jobs in Boulder, CO


  3. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $187,990
    Seattle is home to tech leaders like Amazon and Microsoft. The city’s vibrant community and beautiful landscapes create a great place to work and live.
    Find Principal jobs in Seattle, WA


  4. Boston, MA
    Average Salary: $169,146
    Boston offers a mix of historical charm and modern tech. Companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Vertex provide numerous opportunities for growth.
    Find Principal jobs in Boston, MA


  5. Fresno, CA
    Average Salary: $161,722
    Fresno combines a lower cost of living with opportunities in agriculture and tech. Companies like Valley Children's Healthcare offer solid career prospects.
    Find Principal jobs in Fresno, CA


  6. Atlanta, GA
    Average Salary: $150,135
    Atlanta is known for its strong economy and major companies like Delta and Coca-Cola. The city offers a diverse job market with many opportunities.
    Find Principal jobs in Atlanta, GA


  7. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $148,846
    Los Angeles is a hub for entertainment and tech. Companies like Amazon and Google offer innovative work environments in this vibrant city.
    Find Principal jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  8. Chicago, IL
    Average Salary: $147,230
    Chicago offers a mix of finance, tech, and healthcare jobs. Companies such as Accenture and Boeing provide numerous career opportunities in a bustling city.
    Find Principal jobs in Chicago, IL


  9. Madison, WI
    Average Salary: $146,004
    Madison combines a strong tech presence with a high quality of life. Companies like Epic Systems offer excellent career opportunities in a friendly community.
    Find Principal jobs in Madison, WI


  10. Austin, TX
    Average Salary: $141,586
    Austin is known for its tech boom and vibrant culture. Companies like Apple and Tesla offer dynamic work environments in this growing city.
    Find Principal jobs in Austin, TX

What are the best companies a Principal can work for?

Principals can find attractive opportunities at HNTB Corporation and CliftonLarsonAllen, both known for high salaries. HNTB Corporation offers an average salary of $266,388, while CliftonLarsonAllen pays about $245,455. Intuit and Boston Consulting Group also offer competitive pay, averaging around $236,818 and $230,000, respectively. For those looking for tech roles, Amazon Web Services and Google present lucrative options with salaries reaching $218,939 and $213,511. Additionally, NOVOGRADAC & COMPANY and Amazon.com provide solid compensation packages, making these companies excellent choices for ambitious principals.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Principal jobs, highlighting HNTB Corporation with the highest at $266,388 and Pacific Gas and Electric with the lowest at $193,000.
  1. HNTB Corporation
    Average Salary: $266,388
    HNTB Corporation offers Principal jobs with a focus on engineering and consulting. They work in many locations across the U.S. This company helps design and build important infrastructure projects, from roads to bridges. Their projects span many cities, ensuring they impact communities nationwide.


  2. CliftonLarsonAllen
    Average Salary: $245,455
    CliftonLarsonAllen provides Principal roles with a focus on accounting and advisory services. They have offices in many states, helping businesses manage their finances. Their Principals work on audits and provide guidance to ensure financial health and compliance for their clients.


  3. Intuit
    Average Salary: $236,818
    Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, offers Principal positions in software development and finance. They operate globally, with key locations in the U.S. Principals here work on creating innovative financial software, ensuring user-friendly and efficient products.


  4. Boston Consulting Group
    Average Salary: $230,000
    Boston Consulting Group offers Principal roles in management consulting. They have offices worldwide, with a strong presence in the U.S. Principals here work on strategic projects, helping businesses improve performance and achieve growth.


  5. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $218,939
    Amazon Web Services, part of Amazon, provides Principal jobs in cloud computing. They have data centers in various locations, including the U.S. and internationally. Principals here focus on developing and managing cloud services, ensuring they meet customer needs.


  6. NOVOGRADAC & COMPANY
    Average Salary: $215,000
    NOVOGRADAC & COMPANY offers Principal roles in real estate and finance. They operate from several locations in the U.S., providing advisory services for commercial real estate. Principals work on projects that help clients maximize their real estate investments.


  7. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $214,755
    Amazon.com offers Principal positions in various fields, including technology and logistics. They have warehouses and offices across the U.S. Principals here work on innovative projects, driving the company's mission to be the world's most customer-centric company.


  8. Google
    Average Salary: $213,511
    Google offers Principal roles in technology and engineering. They have offices in many locations, including the U.S. and internationally. Principals here work on developing groundbreaking products and services that shape how people connect and access information.


  9. The Cigna Group
    Average Salary: $197,740
    The Cigna Group offers Principal roles in healthcare and insurance. They have offices in the U.S. and other countries. Principals here work on projects that improve healthcare services and ensure customer satisfaction.


  10. Pacific Gas and Electric
    Average Salary: $193,000
    Pacific Gas and Electric, known as PG&E, offers Principal positions in energy and utilities. They operate in California, providing essential services. Principals here focus on managing and improving energy distribution, ensuring reliable power to communities.

How to earn more as a Principal?

A Principal plays a pivotal role in shaping a school's vision and culture. This leadership role comes with significant responsibilities and opportunities for earning a higher salary. Understanding how to maximize earnings in this position can lead to a more fulfilling and financially rewarding career. One key factor is gaining advanced degrees or certifications, which can enhance skills and open up higher-paying opportunities. Continuous professional development keeps a Principal's skills sharp and knowledge current, making them more valuable to employers.

Networking with other educational leaders and staying informed about industry trends can create more job opportunities and higher salary offers. Leadership experience, such as successfully managing a large school or district, makes a Principal more attractive to hiring committees. Effective negotiation skills during job interviews can lead to higher starting salaries and better benefits packages. Lastly, seeking positions in districts with higher budgets or better funding can result in more competitive salaries. By focusing on these areas, a Principal can work towards earning a higher income.

Here are some factors that can help a Principal earn more:

  • Advanced degrees or certifications
  • Continuous professional development
  • Networking with other leaders
  • Leadership experience in managing schools
  • Effective negotiation skills during interviews

Currently 1,302 Principal job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Principal in the US?

Learn what a Principal does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Principal today.
Position
Overview
Principal
1,302 Job Openings