Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Professor vs School Principal salary

In Japan, a school principal earns about 10% more than a professor $111,194 vs $100,692 per year.

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

Education
Professor
$100,692/yr
Monthly
$8,391
Hourly
$48
Range
$64,443$144,997
10-yr outlook
+8%
Pays more
Education
School Principal
$111,194/yr
Monthly
$9,266
Hourly
$53
Range
$76,168$154,003
10-yr outlook
+1%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileProfessorSchool Principal
Entry (10th)$64,443$76,168
25th$82,567$93,681
Median$100,692$111,194
75th$122,844$132,598
Senior (90th)$144,997$154,003

National Japan figures in JPY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Education comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a professor or school principal earn more in Japan?
A school principal earns more, at about ¥18,000,000 per year vs ¥16,300,000 for a professor — roughly 10% (¥1,700,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A professor typically earns ¥10,432,000–¥23,472,000, while a school principal earns ¥12,330,000–¥24,930,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about ¥1,358,300 and a school principal about ¥1,500,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a professor earns about ¥10,432,000 while a school principal earns about ¥12,330,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a professor earns about ¥23,472,000 while a school principal earns about ¥24,930,000 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.