Professor vs School Principal salary
In New Zealand, a school principal earns about 6% more than a professor — $114,577 vs $108,243 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is NZD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Education
School Principal$114,577/yr
- Monthly
- $9,558
- Hourly
- $55
- Range
- $78,476–$158,680
- 10-yr outlook
- +1%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Professor | School Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $69,264 | $78,476 |
| 25th | $88,782 | $96,555 |
| Median | $108,243 | $114,577 |
| 75th | $132,080 | $136,628 |
| Senior (90th) | $155,859 | $158,680 |
National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Education comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a professor or school principal earn more in New Zealand?
- A school principal earns more, at about $199,000 per year vs $188,000 for a professor — roughly 6% ($11,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A professor typically earns $120,300–$270,700, while a school principal earns $136,300–$275,600 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about $15,700 and a school principal about $16,600.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a professor earns about $120,300 while a school principal earns about $136,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a professor earns about $270,700 while a school principal earns about $275,600 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.