Principal Salary
The Principal position in nonprofit organizations encompasses specialized leadership positions providing expertise in areas like legal, technology, marketing, and human resources. This benchmark data reflects compensation trends from IRS Form 990 filings, providing transparent and verifiable salary information for this critical role.
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Principal
All U.S. nonprofits
Median Salary
$154,653
Range: $70,000 - $383,209 (10th - 90th percentile)
Based on 4,911 organizations (24,526 positions)
Compensation Distribution
| P10 | $70,000 |
| P25 | $111,558 |
| Median | $154,653 |
| P75 | $221,717 |
| P90 | $383,209 |
Understanding Principal Compensation
The Principal role is a critical position within nonprofit organizations. Compensation for this position varies significantly based on factors including:
- Geographic Location: Salaries in major metropolitan areas tend to be higher than in rural regions due to cost of living differences.
- Organization Size: Larger nonprofits with bigger budgets typically offer higher compensation packages.
- Sector: Different nonprofit sectors (health, education, social services, etc.) have varying compensation norms.
- Experience Level: Years of experience and track record significantly impact salary expectations.
About This Data
This benchmark data is sourced from IRS Form 990 filings, which nonprofits are required to submit annually. Form 990 reports compensation for officers, directors, trustees, key employees earning over $150,000, and the five highest-compensated employees earning over $100,000. For general staff positions not covered by Form 990, we supplement with Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data.
Related Job Titles
This position may also be known as: School Principal, Head of School, Headmaster, Headmistress, Assistant Principal, Vice Principal.
Related Roles
These positions are in the same peer group and may have similar compensation profiles:
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