Professor vs School Principal salary
In South Africa, a school principal earns about 7% more than a professor — $38,403 vs $36,018 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Education
School Principal$38,403/yr
- Monthly
- $3,198
- Hourly
- $18
- Range
- $26,308–$53,190
- 10-yr outlook
- +1%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Professor | School Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $23,054 | $26,308 |
| 25th | $29,536 | $32,355 |
| Median | $36,018 | $38,403 |
| 75th | $43,944 | $45,797 |
| Senior (90th) | $51,869 | $53,190 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Education comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a professor or school principal earn more in South Africa?
- A school principal earns more, at about R 628 000 per year vs R 589 000 for a professor — roughly 7% (R 39 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A professor typically earns R 377 000–R 848 200, while a school principal earns R 430 200–R 869 800 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about R 49 100 and a school principal about R 52 300.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a professor earns about R 377 000 while a school principal earns about R 430 200 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a professor earns about R 848 200 while a school principal earns about R 869 800 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.