Elementary and Secondary School Principals and Administrators
(NOC 0422)
in All ManagementSchool principals oversee the activities of teachers and other staff of an elementary or high school. They work for public and private schools. Administrators of elementary and secondary education oversee the academic affairs of a school system. They work for school systems.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Management
Hourly Pay
$30.00
Minimum$47.36
Median$57.14
MaximumAnnual Pay
$38,882
Minimum$93,445
Median$109,391
MaximumCompared to: All Management
Hourly Pay
$22.50
Minimum$43.80
Median$66.20
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,632
Minimum$55,002
Median$124,014
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
School principals oversee the activities of teachers and other staff of an elementary or high school. They work for public and private schools. Administrators of elementary and secondary education oversee the academic affairs of a school system. They work for school systems.
Job duties
School principals:
- Create and maintain a safe and orderly school environment.
- Oversee, through department heads or supervisors, the activities of teachers and support staff.
- Implement and monitor policy practices and procedures and curriculum plans.
- Make sure programs follow to regional or provincial standards and develop programs within limits of authority.
- Coordinate teaching activities by making staff assignments, deciding class size and preparing timetables.
- Organize and maintain procedures for record keeping.
- Prepare and follow school or program budget.
- Direct and coordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities.
- Identify staffing needs of the school and hire teachers and other staff.
- Make Sure all required committees are created and working.
- May administer the terms and conditions of collective agreements that affect employees in the school.
- May teach.
Administrators of elementary and secondary education:
- 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 needed.
- Develop and administer programs for the education and training of students and adults.
- Make recommendations on the annual operating budget of a school district.
- Direct or supervise the recruitment, appointment, training, evaluation and promotion of teaching staff.
Sample job titles
- board of education administrator
- headmaster/mistress - private school
- principal
- regional executive director of education
- school board administrator
- school district superintendent
- school principal
- vice-principal
Skills
- You need determination, confidence, and good managerial skills. You must have the ability to organize, negotiate, motivate, and communicate. You must be able to work well under pressure and make difficult decisions quickly. Good judgement and leadership skills are essential. You should also be capable of cooperating and collaborating with others. You must have the ability to demonstrate fair and ethical judgements and maintain confidentiality.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in education.
- A master's degree in education may be needed.
- A provincial teaching certificate is needed for principals and vice principals who work in the public school system.
- School principals and vice principals may need to complete their regional Educational Leadership Program.
- Administrators of elementary and secondary education may need a supervisory officer certificate.
- Several years of experience as a senior teacher or department head are required.
Other considerations
- There is little movement between settings, for example, between elementary and secondary schools.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Management
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$91,509 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$93,340 median annual incomeCape Breton
$98,978 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$97,349 median annual incomeSouthern
$98,336 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
55-64
65+
25-34
Compared to: All Management
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Master
$95,669 median annual incomeBachelor
$64,364 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ADiploma Above Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Management
Bachelor
$71,875 median annual incomeHigh school
$42,294 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$50,256 median annual incomeMaster
$93,261 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$44,396 median annual incomeEducation & training
Curriculum and Instruction
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the curriculum and related instructional processes and tools and prepares students to serve as professional curriculum specialists. They include courses in curriculum theory, curriculum design and planning, instructional material design and evaluation, curriculum evaluation, and applications to specific subject matter, programs or educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Educational Leadership and Administration
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general principles and techniques of administering a wide variety of schools and other educational organizations and facilities, supervising educational personnel at the school or staff level, and that prepares individuals as general administrators and supervisors.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Linguistics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on language, language development, and relationships among languages and language groups from a humanistic and/or scientific perspective. They include courses in subjects such as psycholinguistics, behavioural linguistics, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, mathematical and computational linguistics, grammatical theory and theoretical linguistics, philosophical linguistics, philology and historical linguistics, comparative linguistics, phonetics, phonemics, dialectology, semantics, functional grammar and linguistics, language typology, lexicography, morphology and syntax, orthography, stylistics, structuralism, rhetoric, and applications to artificial intelligence.
Institutions providing this program
Special Education and Teaching - General
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that prepares individuals to function as special education teachers. They include courses in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counselling, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Special Requirements: Nova Scotia Teacher Certification is required to work in the public school system. Certification may be required by other education related employers.