Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Principals typically need a master’s degree in education administration or leadership. In addition, they need teaching experience. PayThe median annual wage for elementary, middle, and high school principals was $105,870 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 20,600 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for elementary, middle, and high school principals was $105,870 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 20,600 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 20,600 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 They 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 $105,870 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 20,600 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.
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 $105,870 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 20,600 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.
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.
More Information
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.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.