Career Overview
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Also Known As
- Elementary Principal
- Middle School Principal (MS Principal)
- Principal
- Superintendent
Alternate Job Titles
- Academic Advisor
- Assessment Coordinator
- Athletic Coordinator
- Athletic Director
- Commission for the Blind Director
- Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
- Curriculum Director
- Education Supervisor
- Educational Program Director
- Elementary Principal
- Elementary School Principal
- Headmaster
- High School Principal (HS Principal)
- Junior High School Principal
- K-12 Principal (Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Principal)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
- Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavior or learning problems.
- Determine the scope of educational program offerings, and prepare drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
- Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques and to determine areas for improvement.
- Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
- Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Supervise student pick-up or drop-off.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Administrative
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Inductive Reasoning
- Fluency of Ideas
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Leadership Orientation
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Apache Cassandra
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAS
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Digital projectors
- Fire alarm systems
- Interactive whiteboards
- Laptop computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Public address PA systems
- Security alarm systems
- Two way radios
Work Environment
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $72,400 |
| Median | $104,070 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $165,820 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 319,630
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $56,270
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $62,340
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $69,590
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $103,960
Instructional Coordinators
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $74,720
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.