By: BLS.gov

Job Description
Assistant principals help set the academic tone for their schools and hire, evaluate, and help improve the skills of teachers and other staff. Assistant principals, along with principals, confer with staff to advise, explain, or answer procedural questions. They visit classrooms, observe teaching methods, review instructional objectives, and examine learning materials. They actively work with teachers to develop and maintain high curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.

Median Annual Salary (2006-2007)
$71,958

Educational Requirements
In most public schools, assistant principals need a master’s degree in education administration or educational leadership. Some principals and central office administrators have a doctorate or specialized degree in education administration. Most states require principals to be licensed as school administrators. License requirements vary by state, but nearly all require either a master’s degree or some other graduate-level training. Some also require candidates to pass a test. Increasingly, on-the-job training, often with a mentor, is required or recommended for new school leaders. Some states require administrators to take continuing education courses to keep their license, thus ensuring that administrators have the most up-to-date skills. Some private school principals and assistant principals hold only a bachelor’s degree, but the majority have a master’s or doctoral degree.

Job Outlook
The employment of educators is expected to grow by 12 percent before 2016.