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Salary guide · Northern Ireland

Principal Salary in Northern Ireland

How much does a principal earn in Northern Ireland?

Average base salary in Northern Ireland

£77,080 per year

per year in Northern Ireland · STPCD Leadership scale

See Principal jobs in Northern Ireland
25th percentileMedian75th percentile
£56,400 per year£77,080 per year£112,800 per year

Head of an academy or college. Equivalent to headteacher in maintained schools. Principal pay in Northern Ireland is adjusted by 0.94× versus the UK average.

Highest paying cities for principals near Northern Ireland

Compare average principal pay in Northern Ireland and neighbouring areas.

CityAverage principal salaryJobs
Northallerton£77,900 per yearView jobs
Northampton£77,900 per yearView jobs
Northamptonshire£77,900 per yearView jobs
Northumberland£77,900 per yearView jobs
Northwich£77,900 per yearView jobs
Norwich£77,900 per yearView jobs
Northern Ireland This location£77,080 per yearView jobs

How much do similar professions to Principal get paid in Northern Ireland?

Frequently asked questions about principal pay in Northern Ireland

How much does a principal earn in Northern Ireland?

The average salary for a principal in Northern Ireland is £77,080 per year, typically ranging from £56,400 per year to £112,800 per year depending on experience, phase and school type.

Is Northern Ireland a well-paid area for principals?

Northern Ireland tends to sit around 6% below the UK average for principals. Regional demand, cost of living and school funding all play a part.

Which schools and agencies hire principals in Northern Ireland?

Live principal openings in Northern Ireland rotate throughout the year. Set a job alert to be notified as soon as roles are posted.

How can a principal in Northern Ireland increase their salary?

Principals in Northern Ireland typically increase pay by moving up STPCD Leadership scale, taking on TLR or leadership responsibility, gaining specialist qualifications, or relocating to a higher-paying region such as London.

What's the difference between principal pay in Northern Ireland and nationally?

Nationally the average is £82,000 per year. In Northern Ireland it's £77,080 per year — a discount of £4,920 per year versus the UK average.

Principal jobs in Northern Ireland

Live principal vacancies in Northern Ireland from schools, trusts and agencies.

Browse Principal jobs in Northern Ireland

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