Head teachers and principals Salary — UK & US Data (2025)
ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional) · BLS OES May 2025As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
UK Salary Overview
The median salary for a head teachers and principals in the UK is £70,977 per year (gross, before tax), based on ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data for 2025 (provisional). There are approximately 63,000 jobs in this occupation across the UK. If you're heading into a pay review or a new offer, a good salary negotiation guide can help you land nearer the top of these ranges.
UK Salary Percentiles
Where you land in these bands is partly negotiable — many people use interview preparation books to push toward the upper percentiles.
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | £41,346 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | £56,666 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | £70,977 | Typical pay |
| 75th | £83,340 | Experienced |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →UK Regional Breakdown
| Region | Median salary | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £82,282 | +15.9% |
| Wales | £76,119 | +7.2% |
| North West | £74,657 | +5.2% |
| North East | £71,526 | +0.8% |
| London | £71,111 | +0.2% |
| Scotland | £67,633 | -4.7% |
| South East | £67,377 | -5.1% |
| East | £66,126 | -6.8% |
| South West | £65,735 | -7.4% |
| East Midlands | £60,776 | -14.4% |
Regions without published data for this occupation are omitted (ONS suppresses small samples).
US Salary Overview
In the United States, the equivalent occupation (Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary, SOC 11-9032) has a national median wage of $105,870 per year according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 328,000 people are employed in this occupation in the US. Figures are shown in local currency and are not converted.
US Top States by Median Salary
| State | Median salary | Mean salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $166,590 | $160,570 |
| California | $159,950 | $152,480 |
| Connecticut | $156,240 | $148,040 |
| New York | $138,830 | $143,470 |
| District of Columbia | $137,470 | $140,030 |
| New Jersey | $137,440 | $145,910 |
| Delaware | $132,710 | $130,130 |
| Maryland | $131,510 | $131,220 |
| Oregon | $130,050 | $126,970 |
| Utah | $128,880 | $125,180 |
See the full US state-by-state breakdown for head teachers and principals →
Recommended Gear & Prep
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Work out what this salary means after tax with our take-home pay calculator. Teachers can find classroom-ready teaching resources at LessonKind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a head teachers and principals in the UK?
The UK median is £70,977 per year (gross, before tax), based on ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional) data. The mean is £71,776.
How does the US salary compare?
The equivalent US occupation (Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary) has a national median of $105,870 per year (BLS OES May 2025). Figures are in local currency and not converted.
Data: ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18