Principal

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Principal does

Leads a K-12 school by managing faculty, setting academic goals, ensuring a safe learning environment, and serving as the primary liaison between the school and community.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).

Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• E-Learning Content Developer — $65,000/yr
• Academic Advisor — $52,000/yr
• Corporate Trainer — $68,000/yr
• Curriculum Developer — $72,000/yr
• Education Administrator — $100,000/yr