Principal Salary in California
The Principal position in California 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 for organizations headquartered in California, providing transparent and verifiable salary information for this critical role.
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Principal
California
Median Salary
$167,010
Range: $107,631 - $474,395 (10th - 90th percentile)
Based on 601 organizations (3,412 positions)
Compensation Distribution in California
| P10 | $107,631 |
| P25 | $132,132 |
| Median | $167,010 |
| P75 | $258,163 |
| P90 | $474,395 |
Understanding Principal Compensation in California
The Principal role is a critical position within nonprofit organizations in California. Compensation for this position varies based on several factors:
- Cost of Living: California's cost of living affects salary expectations, with metropolitan areas typically offering higher compensation.
- 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.
- Local Market: Competition for talent in California and the density of nonprofit organizations influence salary ranges.
About This Data
This benchmark data is sourced from IRS Form 990 filings submitted by nonprofit organizations in California. 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.
Compare With Other States
Nonprofit compensation can vary significantly by state. Use our interactive tool to compare Principal salaries across different states and filter by organization size and sector.
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 in California:
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