40021 – School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
Lead statement
School principals plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of teachers and other staff of an elementary or secondary school.
Main duties
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate, through department heads or supervisors, the activities of teachers and support staff
- Review programs to ensure conformance to school board or provincial standards and develop programs within limits of authority
- Co-ordinate teaching activities of the institution by making personnel assignments, determining class size and preparing timetables
- Organize and maintain procedures for the keeping of records
- Prepare and administer institution or program budget
- Direct and co-ordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities
- May recruit and hire teachers and other staff
- May teach.
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate, through school principals, the academic affairs of a school district
- Evaluate curriculum, teaching methods and community participation in programs for a school district and revise programs as required
- Develop and administer programs for the education and training of students and adults
- Make recommendations concerning the annual operating budget of a school district
- Direct or supervise the recruitment, appointment, training, evaluation and promotion of teaching personnel.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in education is required.
- A master's degree in education may be required.
- Several years of experience as a senior teacher or department head are required.
- A teacher's certificate for the province of employment is required.
- School principals may require a principal's certificate.
- Administrators of elementary and secondary education may require a supervisory officer certificate.
Example job titles
elementary school principal · private school principal · private school headmaster/mistress · secondary school principal · high school principal · principal · school principal · technical high school principal · vocational high school principal · Native school principal · Aboriginal school principal · private primary college principal · school board administrator · board of education administrator · district school assistant superintendent · assistant district school superintendent · superintendent of special education · superintendent of student services · school district assistant superintendent · assistant school district superintendent
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $36.54 | $55.29 | $71.51 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $37.50 | $50.00 | $75.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $33.33 | $55.29 | $71.15 |
| New Brunswick | $37.50 | $49.52 | $60.10 |
| Quebec | $38.18 | $54.81 | $65.93 |
| Ontario | $35.71 | $57.14 | $72.19 |
| Manitoba | $37.06 | $49.44 | $62.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $38.46 | $53.85 | $74.23 |
| Alberta | $39.53 | $56.73 | $64.16 |
| British Columbia | $30.77 | $57.21 | $90.38 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.