Pay by Role
Germany · Salary comparison

Professor vs School Principal salary

In Germany, a school principal earns about 7% more than a professor $167,657 vs $156,252 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is EUR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Education
Professor
$156,252/yr
Monthly
$13,002
Hourly
$75
Range
$100,024$225,025
10-yr outlook
+8%
Pays more
Education
School Principal
$167,657/yr
Monthly
$14,028
Hourly
$81
Range
$114,851$232,211
10-yr outlook
+1%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileProfessorSchool Principal
Entry (10th)$100,024$114,851
25th$128,081$141,197
Median$156,252$167,657
75th$190,582$199,934
Senior (90th)$225,025$232,211

National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Education comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a professor or school principal earn more in Germany?
A school principal earns more, at about 147.000 € per year vs 137.000 € for a professor — roughly 7% (10.000 €) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
A professor typically earns 87.700 €–197.300 €, while a school principal earns 100.700 €–203.600 € per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about 11.400 € and a school principal about 12.300 €.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Germany, a professor earns about 87.700 € while a school principal earns about 100.700 € per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Germany, a professor earns about 197.300 € while a school principal earns about 203.600 € 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.