Is it hard to become a school principal?
James Williams
Updated on March 29, 2026
Being a principal requires a lot of time, particularly in the evening hours. It doesn’t jibe well for people who also need to worry about their children during those hours. Being a principal also requires a level of tact that I would struggle with if I had to do it on a regular basis.
Is becoming a principal worth it?
If you do not feel you can handle the cons, stay away from this profession. If you believe that the cons are only roadblocks, and the pros are well worth it, then go for it. Being a principal can be a terrific career option for the right person.
Do principals make good money?
Best States For A School Principal Rhode Island has a median salary of $119,414 and California has the highest median salary among all 50 states for school principals. The bottom 10% level pay for school principals is $70,000. The median pay hovers around $99,367.
Are principals in demand?
The demand for employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals will grow 6 percent nationwide by the year 2022 due to population increases.
What makes a successful principal?
Great principals establish high, reasonable and clear expectations that don’t keep teachers guessing. This approach creates trust, allowing teachers to be comfortable with taking ideas or problems to the principal.
How many days a year does a principal work?
Elementary principals typically work 223 a year, and middle school principals spend 228 days on the job. The number increases with each supervisory level, up to an average of 238 work days a year for superintendents.
How to become a principal of a school?
Teachers prepare for advancement into school principal positions by earning a master’s or doctoral degree in education leadership or educational administration. Master’s degree programs in education administration typically take two years to complete and may require students to hold a teaching license prior to enrollment.
Can you become a principal without being a teacher?
It is possible to become a principal without first becoming a teacher. However, working as a teacher gives you valuable experience into how schools work, and most schools prefer to hire principals that have previously worked as teachers. How much money do school principal’s make?
What should I look for in a principal?
Before you decide to become a school principal, you should look inward and determine if you have some of the traits that make a great principal. Leadership and relationship-building are two important elements of being a school principal.
What are the words used to describe a school principal?
Overworked, stressed and burnt out are some of the words used to describe today’s principals who are weighed down by ever-increasing accountability demands from governments, parents and society. A survey released earlier this year found that one in five principals is overwhelmed by workplace stress, with the workload described as unsustainable.