Professor vs School Principal salary
In China, a school principal earns about 9% more than a professor — $87,464 vs $80,089 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CNY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Education
School Principal$87,464/yr
- Monthly
- $7,286
- Hourly
- $42
- Range
- $59,912–$121,136
- 10-yr outlook
- +1%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Professor | School Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $51,254 | $59,912 |
| 25th | $65,679 | $73,688 |
| Median | $80,089 | $87,464 |
| 75th | $97,714 | $104,307 |
| Senior (90th) | $115,325 | $121,136 |
National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Education comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a professor or school principal earn more in China?
- A school principal earns more, at about ¥593,000 per year vs ¥543,000 for a professor — roughly 9% (¥50,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in China?
- A professor typically earns ¥347,500–¥781,900, while a school principal earns ¥406,200–¥821,300 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about ¥45,300 and a school principal about ¥49,400.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in China, a professor earns about ¥347,500 while a school principal earns about ¥406,200 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in China, a professor earns about ¥781,900 while a school principal earns about ¥821,300 per year.
- Are professor and school principal similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Education category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.