How much does a principal make in Washington state?

School principals in Washington State earn an average of around $115,000 to $134,000 annually, but salaries vary significantly by district and role, with some positions reaching over $188,000 or even $220,000, while others start in the $85,000 range, influenced by location (like Seattle vs. other areas), experience, and school level (elementary, middle, or high school).

What is the average salary for a principal in Washington state?

Average base salary

The average salary for a principal is $155,582 per year in Washington State. 144 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated January 3, 2026).

Which state pays principals the most?

Top 65 Highest Paying States for Principal Jobs in the U.S.

Topping the list is Washington, with District of Columbia and New York close behind in second and third.

Are teachers paid well in Washington state?

Average Teacher Salaries in Washington

The average teacher salary in Washington is $86,804 per year, according to NEA data, meaning that — while salaries vary by district — The Evergreen State is a great place for teachers to make the most of their careers through advancement opportunities.

What is the highest paying school district in Washington?

The highest paying school districts in Washington state for teachers are typically found in the Greater Seattle area (King/Snohomish counties) and include Edmonds, Northshore, Bellevue, and Seattle districts, with average salaries often exceeding $100k for experienced teachers due to higher cost of living and strong funding, while districts like Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco in the Tri-Cities also offer competitive pay, especially for top earners. 

How Much does a teacher make in Washington State

What state pays the highest teaching salary?

• The national average public school teacher salary for 2023-24 was $72,030.
• State average teacher salaries ranged from those in California ($101,084), New York ($95,615), and Massachusetts ($92,076) at the high end to Mississippi ($53,704), Florida ($54,875), and Missouri ($55,132) at the low end.

Are school principals wealthy?

On average, private school principals earn less than their public school counterparts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for public school principals is $105,100, while the median yearly wage for private school principals was $92,900.

Can you make $100,000 as a teacher?

Yes, teachers can make $100k, but it usually requires many years of experience, advanced degrees, working in high-paying districts (often in expensive states like California or New York), and taking on extra roles like coaching or leading extracurriculars; it's not typical for new teachers but achievable for veterans or those in specific high-demand areas or roles. 

Why do principals get paid more than teachers?

High school principals often earn more due to the complexity and size of the student body.

Is school principal a stressful job?

Yes, being a school principal is widely considered a highly stressful job, with studies showing high rates of stress and burnout, stemming from immense responsibilities like instructional leadership, budgeting, community relations, discipline, and managing teacher/parent/district expectations with limited resources, making it a demanding and often isolating role. 

What percent of teachers make over 100k?

While a small percentage of all US teachers make over $100k nationally (around 10% earn over $102k, according to 2024 data), this figure varies greatly; over 20% of districts offer top salaries over $100k, with many more in high-cost areas like California, New York, and DC, where it's common for experienced teachers. 

Who gets paid more, teachers or principals?

Principals typically earn more than teachers. From 2020-2021, a principal's average annual salary was $100,500, compared to $60,100 for a full-time teacher, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

How much does a principal make in Seattle WA?

The average salary for a principal is $180,281 per year in Seattle, WA. 34 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated December 25, 2025).

What city in Washington pays teachers the most?

While specific city rankings vary, districts in the Seattle metro area (like Seattle, Bellevue, Edmonds, Northshore) and the eastern Washington Tri-Cities (like Richland, Kennewick) generally offer the highest teacher salaries in Washington, with top earners exceeding $100k-$110k annually, though these areas also have a higher cost of living. Edmonds School District and Northshore School District are frequently cited for high averages, with Edmonds reporting over $115k average in 2023-2024, and Richland often leading the Tri-Cities. 

What do you need to be a principal in Washington state?

Application Requirements

1. Master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. One copy of valid Washington State certificate (teacher or educational staff associate) ...
3. Three (3) references: one each from two building-level administrators, and one from a district-level administrator.

Are a lot of millionaires teachers?

Teachers rank third, behind engineers and accountants, on a top-five list of careers most likely to have millionaires within their ranks.

What is the 70 30 rule in teaching?

The 70/30 rule in teaching is a principle that shifts focus from teacher-led instruction to student-centered, active learning, suggesting students should do 70% of the talking/practice and teachers 30% of direct instruction, or that teachers plan 70% for activities and 30% for content, promoting deeper engagement and skill development over passive reception, particularly in language learning. 

How can I make $2000 a month on the side?

To make an extra $2,000 a month, combine flexible online services like freelance writing, virtual assistant work, or online tutoring with scalable options like dropshipping, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products, while also tapping into local gigs like delivery, pet care, or flipping items for profit, leveraging platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Airbnb, and Uber, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Fiverr can help you find clients., Airbnb and Uber to find clients and opportunities. Success often comes from combining a few of these methods to reach your income goal, focusing on skills you have and consistent effort. 

Who is the richest principal?

Toto Wolff is the richest principal in F1 with an impressive net worth of $1.6 billion.

Is being a principal harder than a teacher?

Being a school principal is arguably the most difficult leadership position in the nation. The stakes are incredibly high, and the challenges are immense. Principals juggle the needs of teachers, students, parents, and districts—often with limited resources and support.

Do principals get summers off?

Typically, principals work year round and do not have summers off, even if students are not in school. During the summer, principals schedule building maintenance, order school supplies, and hire new teachers and other staff in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Are teachers in demand in Washington state?

Teaching is a challenging but rewarding career. In Washington State, educators enjoy competitive salaries, a supportive community, and comprehensive benefits. There's also a strong demand for qualified teachers in Washington — which means there's plenty of room for career advancement and growth.

Which state has the happiest teachers?

The report found New Hampshire, Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois and New Jersey are the best states for teachers. It found the worst states to be a teacher are Louisiana, Nevada, Florida, Alaska and Arizona.

Which state in India gives the highest salary to teachers?

Quoting UNO figures, Biswas said that against the average per capita annual income of $460 in India, a freshly-recruited teacher in West Bengal receives an annual salary of $2,450 or five times that of the average per capita income, which is "the highest" in the world.