0421-NOC

School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education

(NOC 0422)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$107,283
Typical Education Background
Degree
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
2,020

Career Overview

School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education plan, organize and direct the academic affairs of a school system, as well as the activities of teachers and other staff.

School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education work for school boards and for public and private schools.

Duties

School principals:

  • Plan, organize and direct, through department heads or supervisors, the activities of teachers and support staff
  • Review programs to ensure conformance to school board or provincial standards and develop programs within limits of authority
  • Co-ordinate the teaching activities of the institution by making staff assignments, determining class size and preparing timetables
  • Organize and maintain procedures for the keeping of records
  • Prepare and carry out institution or program budget
  • Direct and co-ordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities
  • Recruit and hire teachers and other staff
  • May teach

Administrators of elementary and secondary education:

  • Plan, organize and direct, through school principals, the academic affairs of a school district
  • Evaluate educational program, teaching methods and community participation in programs and revise programs as required
  • Develop and carry out programs for the education and training of students and adults
  • Make recommendations concerning the annual operating budget of a school district
  • Direct or supervise the recruitment, appointment, training, evaluation and promotion of teaching staff

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$107,283

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$77.47/hr
Median$51.44/hr
Low$24.48/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

4,300

% Employed Full Time

72%
Source: 2016 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office or school.

Career Pathways

There is little mobility between institutional settings, for example, between elementary and secondary schools.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising

Job Titles

Administrator, school board
Director, education, correctional inst.
Director, school for the blind
Director, school for the deaf
Principal, Aboriginal school
Principal, business college
Principal, college - secondary level
Principal, community school
Principal, private primary college
Principal, private school
Principal, school - elementary / secondary
Principal, technical / vocational school
Superintendent, chief - schools / region
Superintendent, education programs
Superintendent, elementary / secondary
Superintendent, professional development
Superintendent, special education
Superintendent, student services

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in education is required.
  • A master's degree in education may be required.
  • Several years of experience as a senior teacher or department head are required.
  • A teacher's certificate for the province of employment is required.
  • School principals may require a principal's certificate.
  • Administrators of elementary and secondary education may require a supervisory officer certificate.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Elementary/Secondary Teaching Related
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

79%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

78%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

78%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

77%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

75%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

73%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

72%
Judgment and Decision-Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

72%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

70%
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

69%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

4,300
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 130 2.9%
Kootenay 180 4.0%
Mainland/Southwest 2,120 59.1%
North Coast and Nechako 90 3.0%
Northeast 80 2.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 430 10.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 730 18.0%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

2,020
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 0 -1.7%
Kootenay 100 -0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 1,200 1.0%
North Coast and Nechako 0 -1.2%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 210 0.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 400 0.9%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Educational Services64,500
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.