CareersManagementElementary, middle, and high school principals

Elementary, middle, and high school principals

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Elementary, middle, and high school principals in the United States earn a median salary of $104,070 per year — about $50 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 333K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of -2%.

Median Salary
$104,070
~$50/hr · ~$8,673/mo
US Jobs
333K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
6/10
Moderate

AI & Automation Risk

Moderate 6/10

Principals perform significant knowledge work—such as curriculum development, budget management, and data analysis of student performance—that is highly susceptible to AI augmentation and automation. However, the core of the role requires physical presence for school safety, real-time crisis management, and high-stakes interpersonal interactions with students, parents, and staff that AI cannot currently replicate.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
City-by-city salary data not available for this occupation. Showing national median only.

Education & Requirements

Education Required
Master's degree
10-Year Growth
-2% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$50/hr
Monthly Income
~$8,673/mo

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Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)