Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

School Principal vs Teacher salary

In United Kingdom, a school principal earns about 86% more than a teacher $152,612 vs $81,929 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

Pays more
Education
School Principal
$152,612/yr
Monthly
$12,718
Hourly
$74
Range
$104,553$211,382
10-yr outlook
+1%
Education
Teacher
$81,929/yr
Monthly
$6,827
Hourly
$39
Range
$59,840$108,971
10-yr outlook
+1%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileSchool PrincipalTeacher
Entry (10th)$104,553$59,840
25th$128,516$70,818
Median$152,612$81,929
75th$181,930$95,450
Senior (90th)$211,382$108,971

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

More Education comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a school principal or teacher earn more in United Kingdom?
A school principal earns more, at about £114,000 per year vs £61,200 for a teacher — roughly 86% (£52,800) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A school principal typically earns £78,100–£157,900, while a teacher earns £44,700–£81,400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a school principal averages about £9,500 and a teacher about £5,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a school principal earns about £78,100 while a teacher earns about £44,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a school principal earns about £157,900 while a teacher earns about £81,400 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.