Professor vs School Principal salary
In United States, a school principal earns about 7% more than a professor — $123,000 vs $115,000 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Education
School Principal$123,000/yr
- Monthly
- $10,300
- Hourly
- $59
- Range
- $84,300–$170,400
- 10-yr outlook
- +1%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Professor | School Principal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $73,600 | $84,300 |
| 25th | $94,300 | $103,600 |
| Median | $115,000 | $123,000 |
| 75th | $140,300 | $146,700 |
| Senior (90th) | $165,600 | $170,400 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Education comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a professor or school principal earn more in United States?
- A school principal earns more, at about $123,000 per year vs $115,000 for a professor — roughly 7% ($8,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A professor typically earns $73,600–$165,600, while a school principal earns $84,300–$170,400 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a professor averages about $9,600 and a school principal about $10,300.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a professor earns about $73,600 while a school principal earns about $84,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a professor earns about $165,600 while a school principal earns about $170,400 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.