Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Professor vs School Principal salary

In United Kingdom, a school principal earns about 9% more than a professor $152,612 vs $140,564 per year.

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

Education
Professor
$140,564/yr
Monthly
$11,781
Hourly
$67
Range
$89,961$202,412
10-yr outlook
+8%
Pays more
Education
School Principal
$152,612/yr
Monthly
$12,718
Hourly
$74
Range
$104,553$211,382
10-yr outlook
+1%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileProfessorSchool Principal
Entry (10th)$89,961$104,553
25th$115,263$128,516
Median$140,564$152,612
75th$171,488$181,930
Senior (90th)$202,412$211,382

National United Kingdom figures in GBP. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Education comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a professor or school principal earn more in United Kingdom?
A school principal earns more, at about £114,000 per year vs £105,000 for a professor — roughly 9% (£9,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A professor typically earns £67,200–£151,200, while a school principal earns £78,100–£157,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about £8,800 and a school principal about £9,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a professor earns about £67,200 while a school principal earns about £78,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a professor earns about £151,200 while a school principal earns about £157,900 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.