School Principal vs Teacher salary
In China, a school principal earns about 85% more than a teacher — $87,464 vs $47,345 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 | School Principal | Teacher |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $59,912 | $34,558 |
| 25th | $73,688 | $40,959 |
| Median | $87,464 | $47,345 |
| 75th | $104,307 | $55,163 |
| Senior (90th) | $121,136 | $62,965 |
National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Education comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a school principal or teacher earn more in China?
- A school principal earns more, at about ¥593,000 per year vs ¥321,000 for a teacher — roughly 85% (¥272,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in China?
- A school principal typically earns ¥406,200–¥821,300, while a teacher earns ¥234,300–¥426,900 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a school principal averages about ¥49,400 and a teacher about ¥26,800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in China, a school principal earns about ¥406,200 while a teacher earns about ¥234,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in China, a school principal earns about ¥821,300 while a teacher earns about ¥426,900 per year.
- Are school principal and teacher 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.