School Principal Jobs in California

A Principal plays a critical role in school administration as they are responsible for the overall management and operation of the school. They create and implement educational policies, manage school staff including teachers and non-teaching personnel, and ensure the school's curriculum and activities adhere to national and local standards. Principals also have the obligation to monitor student progress, conduct teacher evaluations, maintain a safe and conducive learning environment, and communicate with parents and community members. They also oversee the school's budget and make sure resources are allocated properly.

To perform these duties successfully, School Principals should have leadership and decision-making skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities. They must also demonstrate a solid understanding of curriculum development, education laws, and regulations. A master's degree in education administration or leadership, and licensure from a state board of education are typical requirements for this role. Certifications like National Certified School Principal (NCSP) or Professional Principal's Certificate could be beneficial. Prior to becoming a School Principal, an individual may begin as a teacher, then progress to roles such as Assistant Principal, Department Head, or School Administrator.

1-15 of 116 Jobs

Principal, El Cerrito High School

  • El Cerrito, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • El Cerrito, CA
  • 1 day ago

Principal, El Cerrito High School Job Description / Essential Elements: West Contra Costa Unified School District HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Primary Function: Serves as the educational leader and chief executive...

Anticipated Opening - Principal - Small School

  • San Bernardino, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • San Bernardino, CA
  • 1 day ago

Minimum Qualifications: Masters Degree 3 years successful teaching experience DESIRED: - Elementary school assistant principal or principal - Bilingual (Spanish) proficiency....

Principal (219-Days): Assignment at Franklin Elementary School

  • San Diego, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 1 day ago

Successful candidates must demonstrate their skill as an instructional leader, a firm understanding of school operations, as well as the capacity to build strong relationships with all partners within...

Principal - Stewart Elementary K-8 School

  • Richmond, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Richmond, CA
  • 1 day ago

West Contra Costa Unified School District WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Primary Function Serves as educational leader and administrator of the elementary school...

Elementary Principal - Chester W. Morrison Elementary

  • Menifee, CA
  • 2 days ago
  • Menifee, CA
  • 2 days ago

DETAILS ABOUT THIS POSITION: Salary: Yearly range: $157,057 - $187,432 Length of Work Year: 215 days per school year Location: Chester W. Morrison Elementary JOB QUALIFICATIONS Education &...

Principal

  • Hesperia, CA
  • 3 days ago
  • Hesperia, CA
  • 3 days ago

Provide innovative and creative instructional leadership....

Eureka City Schools, in partnership with families and communities, promotes academic success and career readiness for every student. We are committed to: - Ensuring rigorous and innovative...

Principal on Special Assignment

  • San Jose, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • San Jose, CA
  • 5 days ago

Parent involvement, community support, English classes, and health outreach services all contribute to school improvement....

Middle School Principal - Kathryn Newport Middle School

  • Menifee, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Menifee, CA
  • 5 days ago

Middle School Principal - Kathryn Newport Middle School Menifee Union School District KATHRYN NEWPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL - Menifee, California This job is also posted in Menifee Union School District Job...

Vice Principal - Elementary "Eligibility Pool"

  • Fresno, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Fresno, CA
  • 5 days ago

Salary Not Available Vice Principal - Elementary "Eligibility Pool" Central Unified School District Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary Location: Fresno, CA - 93650...

Vice Principal - High School "Eligibility Pool" / RFP285

  • Fresno, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Fresno, CA
  • 5 days ago

APPLICATIONS All certificated applications must be submitted using SpringSchool REQUIRED DOCUMENTS must be scanned in order to submit an online application. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE...

Middle School Principal (2025-2026 School Year)

  • Compton, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Compton, CA
  • 5 days ago

Secondary principal experience desirable B. Two years of assistant principal experience at the secondary level C. Experience in curriculum development and instructional leadership D....

School Principal

  • Merced, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Merced, CA
  • 5 days ago

Merced City School District See attachment on original job posting Refer to the job posting for a list of experience requirements or if you have any questions or need further clarification, please...

657 - Elementary Principal (2025-26 School Year)

  • Hemet, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Hemet, CA
  • 5 days ago

Job Description PRINCIPAL BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF POSITION The principal is the educational leader and chief executive of the school....

Principal, Sierra Lakes ES & Palmetto ES - CM #4512.26

  • Fontana, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Fontana, CA
  • 5 days ago

Fontana Unified School District See attachment on original job posting Credentials and Experience:Possession of a California Administrative Services CredentialMaster's DegreeMinimum of three...

Demographic Data for California

Moving to California? Find some basic demographic data about California below.


Local
National
39,536,271
996,598

School Principal Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireSchoolAdministrators curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
School Principals: Communicating with Parents
The demands for effective communications from public PK-12 schools have never been higher. At the same time, the volume of information competing for a parent's attention is also unprecedented. How...
The School for Change Agents
Free access to course content for everyone and free upgrade for NHS & affiliated staff. Check eligibility for a free upgrade here. Apply for free upgrade here. The School is free for everyone to...
Launching Innovation in Schools
Become a change leader and take the first step towards launching initiatives to improve teaching and learning. Every great teacher and every great school constantly works towards creating better...

Title Synonyms

Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job title


Salary for School Principal Jobs in California

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireSchoolAdministrators research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for School Principal positions.



Highest Education Level

School Principals in California offer the following education background
Master's Degree
54.8%
Doctorate Degree
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree
13.6%
High School or GED
4.2%
Associate's Degree
2.9%
Vocational Degree or Certification
2.5%
Some College
0.5%
Some High School
0.3%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by School Principals in California
2-4 years
38.4%
4-6 years
33.8%
1-2 years
11.7%
Less than 1 year
6.6%
8-10 years
4.7%
6-8 years
4.6%
10+ years
0.1%



School Principal Related Career Advice Articles

school principal having a meeting with a group of teachers
6 Steps to Finding the Best Principal Jobs

If you’re wondering how to become a principal or seeking principal jobs, check out our quick guide to school administrator careers.

Read article »
school administrator in hallway
Resume Writing Tips for School Administrators

Writing a principal resume? Stand out in your job search with these resume writing tips for school administrators.

Read article »
school admin interview
Essential Interview Prep for School Administrators

Whether you’re a seasoned teacher seeking to take the next step in your career or a veteran administrator looking to relocate, interview preparation is essential to landing the position. Study this guide closely to ace your next interview.

Read article »