There are currently an estimated 251,300 school principals in the United States. The school principal job market is expected to grow by 7.9% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are school principals?

CareerExplorer rates school principals with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 24,400 school principals. That number is based on 19,800 additional school principals, and the retirement of 4,600 existing school principals.

Are school principals in demand?

In recent years the responsibilities of principals have increased significantly, contributing to the inherent stress of the role and the hesitancy of some teachers to aspire to it. Generally, principals are being held more accountable for both student and teacher performance and are faced with overcrowded classrooms, limited budgets, and growing and sometimes complex government regulations. These pressures and a perceived insufficient pay increase have led to a decline in the number of teachers willing to transition into principal positions. Over the next decade enrolment of elementary and secondary school students is predicted to grow slowly, resulting in lower demand for principals in these schools. The West and South regions of the country are expected to experience the highest enrolments and produce the majority of jobs, while enrolments and jobs in the Northeast and Midwest regions will undergo a decline or remain stable. A significant number of retiring principals should contribute to available positions in the field.

What’s the supply of school principals?

The school principal industry is concentrated in Texas, California, New York

School Principal job market by state

State Name Employed School Principals
Texas 26,190
California 21,320
New York 19,850
Illinois 12,120
Ohio 9,490
New Jersey 8,690
Georgia 8,290
North Carolina 8,220
Pennsylvania 8,170
Massachusetts 7,210
Virginia 6,850
Michigan 6,480
Missouri 5,860
Tennessee 5,610
Arizona 5,450
Washington 5,050
Wisconsin 4,970
Maryland 4,850
Indiana 4,680
Colorado 4,650
Kentucky 4,240
Louisiana 4,150
Connecticut 3,960
South Carolina 3,890
Alabama 3,430
Minnesota 3,360
Oregon 3,310
Oklahoma 3,090
Mississippi 2,590
Iowa 2,490
Kansas 2,370
Arkansas 2,330
Utah 2,190
Nebraska 1,690
West Virginia 1,650
Puerto Rico 1,650
Nevada 1,620
New Mexico 1,600
New Hampshire 1,530
Maine 1,440
District of Columbia 1,270
Idaho 1,080
Hawaii 1,010
Rhode Island 900
Delaware 880
Vermont 840
Montana 770
Alaska 640
South Dakota 600
North Dakota 590
Wyoming 430
Virgin Islands, U.S. 150
Guam 110