### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                    
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			elementary middle and high school principals imageElementary, middle, and high school principals manage the day-to-day operations of schools.							
						Quick Facts:     Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals2023     Median Pay
            						$103,460     per yearTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Master's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    5 years or moreOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    300,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    3,300What Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals Do
                                                
                        
                        
Elementary, middle, and high school principals oversee all school operations, including daily school activities.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Principals work in public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Typically, principals work year round.
            
                                                How to Become an Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal
                                                
                        
Principals typically need a master’s degree in education administration or leadership. In addition, they need teaching experience.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for elementary, middle, and high school principals was $103,460 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 20,200 openings for elementary, middle, and high school principals are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for elementary, middle, and high school principals.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of elementary, middle, and high school principals with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about elementary, middle, and high school principals by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals Do 
            

			Elementary, middle, and high school principalsPrincipals counsel students.			
Elementary, middle, and high school principals oversee all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curriculums, manage staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.
Duties
Elementary, middle, and high school principals typically do the following:
Manage school activities and staff, including teachers and support personnel
Establish and oversee class schedules
Develop, implement, and maintain curriculum standards
Counsel and discipline students
Observe teachers and evaluate their performance
Meet with parents and teachers to discuss students’ progress and behavior
Assess and prepare reports on test scores and other student achievement data
Organize professional development programs and workshops for staff
Manage the school’s budget, order school supplies, and schedule maintenance
Establish and coordinate security procedures for students, staff, and visitorsElementary, middle, and high school principals direct the overall operation of schools. They set and oversee academic goals and ensure that teachers have the equipment and resources to meet those goals. Principals may establish and supervise additional programs in their school, such as counseling, extracurricular activities, and before- and after-school childcare.
In public schools, principals also implement standards and programs set by the school district, state, and federal regulations. They evaluate and prepare reports based on these standards by assessing student achievement and teacher performance at their school.
Principals serve as the public representative of their school. They listen to, and try to address, the concerns of parents and the community.
The duties of principals vary by the size of the school and district. In large schools and districts, principals may have additional resources and staff to help them achieve goals. For example, large school districts often have instructional coordinators who help with data analysis and with teachers’ professional development. Principals also may have staff who help with hiring school personnel. In smaller school districts, principals may need to assume these and other duties themselves.
Many schools have assistant principals who help principals with school administration. Principals typically assign specific duties to their assistant principals. In some school districts, assistant principals handle a subject area, such as literacy or math. Assistants may handle student safety, provide student academic counseling, or enforce disciplinary or attendance rules. They may also coordinate buses or supervise building and grounds maintenance.
 Work Environment
			Elementary, middle, and high school principalsPrincipals meet with parents and teachers to discuss students’ progress.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Elementary, middle, and high school principals held about 300,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of elementary, middle, and high school principals were as follows:
        Elementary and secondary schools; local
                75%Elementary and secondary schools; private
                20Elementary, middle, and high school principals may find it rewarding to work with students. However, coordinating and interacting with faculty, parents, students, and community members may be demanding. Principals’ work is sometimes stressful because they are accountable for their school meeting state and federal standards for student performance and teacher qualification.
Work Schedules
Most principals work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They may work evenings or weekends to meet with parents and other members of the community and to attend school functions, such as concerts and athletic events.
Typically, principals work year round and do not have summers off, even if students are not in school. During the summer, principals schedule building maintenance, order school supplies, and hire new teachers and other staff in preparation for the upcoming school year.
 How to Become an Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal

			Elementary, middle, and high school principalsPrincipals must communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents.			
Most schools require elementary, middle, and high school principals to have a master’s degree in education administration or leadership. Principals also need teaching experience.
Education
Principals typically need a master’s degree in education leadership or education administration. These master’s degree programs teach prospective principals how to manage staff, create budgets, set goals, and work with parents and the community. To enter a master's degree program, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or a related field.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Principals need several years of teaching experience. For more information on how to become a teacher, see the profiles on kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states require public school principals to be licensed as school administrators. Licensure requirements vary by state, but most require a master’s degree. Some states have alternative programs for candidates who do not have a master’s degree in education administration or leadership. Most states also require candidates to pass an exam and a background check.
Principals in private schools are not required to have a state-issued license.
Advancement
An assistant principal can advance to become a principal. Some principals advance to become superintendents or other types of education administrators, which may require additional education. Others become instructional coordinators.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Principals must communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents. For example, when dealing with academic issues, they must listen to students and teachers in order to restate their understanding of the problem.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Principals analyze student test results and testing procedures to determine if improvements are needed. They must assess available options to help students achieve the best results.
***Decision-making skills.*** Because principals are responsible for students, staff, and the overall operation of the school, they consider many factors when making decisions.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Principals work with teachers, parents, and superintendents and must develop positive working relationships with them.
***Leadership skills.*** Principals set educational goals and establish policies and procedures for the school. They need to be able to motivate staff to achieve these goals.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Teachers, students, and other staff report problems to the principal. Principals need to be able to analyze problems and find appropriate solutions.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Elementary, Middle, and High School PrincipalsMedian annual wages, May 2023Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary$103,460  Other management occupations$102,510  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for elementary, middle, and high school principals was $103,460 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $70,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $163,010.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for elementary, middle, and high school principals in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Elementary and secondary schools; local
                $105,100Elementary and secondary schools; private
                92,900Most principals work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They may work evenings or weekends to meet with parents and other members of the community and to attend school functions, such as concerts and athletic events.
Typically, principals work year round and do not have summers off, even if students are not in school. During the summer, principals prepare for the upcoming school year, schedule building maintenance, order school supplies, and hire teachers and other staff.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Elementary, Middle, and High School PrincipalsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Other management occupations5%  Total, all occupations3%  Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 20,200 openings for elementary, middle, and high school principals are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Employment growth will be affected by student enrollment and the number of educational institutions.
There are a limited number of principal positions available per school. If student enrollment increases, more schools will open, which could increase demand. Conversely, stagnant or decreasing student enrollment may reduce the demand for principals.
Employment growth of school principals also will depend on state and local budgets. Budget constraints may delay the building or opening of new schools. In addition, some school districts may consolidate and close some schools within their districts, thereby limiting employment growth. If there is a budget surplus, however, school districts may open more schools, which could lead to employment growth.
			

                        Employment projections data for     elementary, middle, and high school principals, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary**
			11-9032
			300,400
			303,700
			1
			3,300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of elementary, middle, and high school principals. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Career and Technical Education Teachers**
            Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts.
            Bachelor's degree
            $63,580**High School Teachers**
            High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,220**Instructional Coordinators**
            Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness.
            Master's degree
            $74,620**Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers**
            Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
            Bachelor's degree
            $63,670**Librarians and Library Media Specialists**
            Librarians and library media specialists help people find information and conduct research for personal and professional use.
            Master's degree
            $64,370**Middle School Teachers**
            Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,290**Postsecondary Education Administrators**
            Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities.
            Master's degree
            $102,610**Postsecondary Teachers**
            Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
            See How to Become One
            $84,380**Preschool and Childcare Center Directors**
            Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead their staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets.
            Bachelor's degree
            $54,290**Preschool Teachers**
            Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten.
            Associate's degree
            $37,130**School and Career Counselors and Advisors**
            School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
            Master's degree
            $61,710**Special Education Teachers**
            Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,910**Teacher Assistants**
            Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
            Some college, no degree
            $35,550
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information on elementary, middle, and high school principals, visit
National Association of Elementary School Principals
National Association of Secondary School Principals

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH