School Principal vs Teacher salary
In New Zealand, a school principal earns about 81% more than a teacher — $114,577 vs $63,334 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 | School Principal | Teacher |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $78,476 | $46,234 |
| 25th | $96,555 | $54,813 |
| Median | $114,577 | $63,334 |
| 75th | $136,628 | $73,813 |
| Senior (90th) | $158,680 | $84,234 |
National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Education comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a school principal or teacher earn more in New Zealand?
- A school principal earns more, at about $199,000 per year vs $110,000 for a teacher — roughly 81% ($89,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A school principal typically earns $136,300–$275,600, while a teacher earns $80,300–$146,300 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a school principal averages about $16,600 and a teacher about $9,200.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a school principal earns about $136,300 while a teacher earns about $80,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a school principal earns about $275,600 while a teacher earns about $146,300 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.