Money · 1 of 5
What principals make
Median
$105,870
Bottom tenth
$76,280
Top tenth
$167,770
The national median is $105,870 a year. The bottom tenth earn $76,280 or less and the top tenth $167,770 or more (2025 federal wage survey). This counts principals and assistant principals from kindergarten through high school. Each district sets its own pay, so where you work matters a great deal.