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Principal Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Core One seeks an experienced Principal Support Administrator to support the US Government in the Northern Virginia area. The candidate will be responsible for proactively managing the principal ...

Core One seeks an experienced Principal Support Administrator to support the US Government in the Northern Virginia area. The candidate will be responsible for proactively managing the principal ...

The Arlington Studio of HDR Architecture is in search of a Federal Architecture Principal with a Science focus to join our growing practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and ...

The Arlington Studio of HDR Architecture is in search of a Federal Architecture Principal with a Science focus to join our growing practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and ...

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Principal information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$37.7K

$113.1K

$188.1K

How much do principal jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal in Silver Spring, MD is $113,088.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,900.00 and $129,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the jobs of a principal?

A principal is the head administrator of a school responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing staff, implementing educational policies, and ensuring student success. They also handle budgeting, discipline, and communication with parents and the community, often requiring leadership skills and educational certifications. The role typically involves setting school goals and maintaining a safe, productive learning environment.

How old are principals usually?

Principals are typically experienced educators who usually start their careers as teachers in their early to mid-20s and often become principals in their 30s or 40s after gaining several years of teaching and administrative experience. Most states require principals to hold a master's degree in education or school administration and to have a valid teaching license, with some requiring additional certification or administrative credentials. Age varies, but principals are generally in their late 30s to 50s when they hold the position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal, you need a solid background in educational leadership, curriculum development, and typically a master's degree in education administration or a related field. Familiarity with student information systems, data analysis tools, and relevant certifications such as state principal licensure are commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, decision-making, and the ability to inspire and manage staff are essential soft skills for success. These competencies are crucial for fostering a positive learning environment, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving school improvement initiatives.

How much do most principals make?

Most principals earn a median annual salary of around $98,000, though this can vary based on location, school size, and experience. Experienced principals in larger districts or high-paying regions may earn over $130,000 annually.

What are principals?

Principals are the lead administrators of schools, responsible for overseeing all daily operations, managing staff and students, and ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. They set educational goals, implement school policies, and work to improve academic performance and school culture. Principals also serve as the main point of communication between the school, parents, and the community. Their leadership is essential in shaping the direction and success of a school.

Where do principals make the most money?

Principals tend to earn the highest salaries in large, urban school districts and private schools, where budgets are bigger and administrative roles often require advanced degrees and certifications. Factors such as experience, school size, and geographic location also influence salary levels for principals.

What are some common challenges principals face when balancing administrative duties with instructional leadership?

Principals often find it challenging to balance their time between administrative responsibilities—such as budgeting, compliance, and facility management—and their role as instructional leaders focused on curriculum development and teacher support. Effective principals prioritize tasks, delegate when appropriate, and implement systems to streamline administrative processes, allowing them to spend more time in classrooms and mentoring staff. Building a strong leadership team and fostering open communication are key strategies for managing these dual responsibilities successfully.

What Do Principals Do?

Principals are the lead administrators of schools. They are responsible for training and managing the staff, selecting curriculum, monitoring the school budget, and dealing with parent concerns. Principals must also deal with disciplinary issues that have escalated beyond what the student’s teacher can handle. They represent the school in district administration meetings and advocate for more funding or staff, new equipment, facility repairs, or anything else the school needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What are popular job titles related to Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Principal jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Principal job openings:
Infographic showing various Principal job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,088 per year, or $54.4 per hour.
Principal Support Administrator

Principal Support Administrator

Open Systems Technologies Corporation

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Other

Posted yesterday


Job description

Top Secret with Full Scope (FSP) Required.

(U) This is Principal Support work in the WMA area. Principal Support work entails providing direct executive administrative support to a principal or group of principals whose scope of responsibility, span of influence, and impact requires the contractor to initiate outreach and interactions primarily with executives and other personnel from within, and superior to, the supported principal's organization, and with a diverse mix of internal and external contacts. Primary duties are to proactively manage the principal's calendar and unscheduled demands on the principal's time, and preparing the principal for meetings. The work may also include providing, coordinating, and/or overseeing administrative support to others on the supported principal's staff. The scope, complexity, influence, and impact of the supported mission proportionately increases the complexity of Principal Support work. The work environment generally is moderate to fast paced, and errors in judgment or action result in consequences with some risk and impact to mission operations.

(U) Principal Support work is performed independently with general review and guidance from a senior officer or the supported principal and has latitude to exercise independent judgment to complete tasks.

(U) Short Summary

(U) The scope of the Principal Support Admin work is to provide direct executive administrative support to a principal or group of principals, working independently with general review and guidance from a senior officer or the supported principal/s.

(U) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

(U) Ability to obtain and apply:

(U) Working knowledge of mission priorities to proactively manage and deconflict calendars and to determine threshold issues that need to rise to the principal's attention.

(U) Working knowledge of Agency/IC protocol for contacting senior executives.

(U) Working knowledge of Agency/IC structure, regulations, policies and protocols to represent principal and to complete routine to moderately complex tasks.

(U) Working knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and interrelatedness of the supported principal's organization, the IC, the organizations and executives with whom the principal regularly interacts, and considerable knowledge of the principal's role in relation to each.

(U) Working knowledge of Agency and IC administrative processes, policies, and procedures, and internal support discipline applications and databases to fulfill duties, guide and teach other administrative support personnel.

(U) Working knowledge of current practices associated with filing and tracking systems, including rapid storage and retrieval of information.

(U) Required:

(U) Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel) and other tools in order to format and adapt submitted correspondence for ease of presentation. Ability to track edits and multiple versions of documents.

(U) Working knowledge of travel activities to support planning and scheduling of travel arrangements.

(U) Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner, sufficient to convey moderately complex ideas and information on technical/administrative mission-related issues in a well-organized, logical, concise, credible and courteous manner that is appropriate for the situation, topic, and listener, and consistent with the principal's perspective or position.

(U) Writing skills sufficient to compose accurate, comprehensive, soft and hard copy written products on moderately complex or sensitive subjects, tailored for the audience.

(U) With guidance from the Government, representational skills (tact, diplomacy, protocol) to confidently, respectfully, and professionally represent principal, area of assignment, and/or Agency at mission-related meetings, events, and forums.

(U) Critical thinking skills sufficient to make sound and timely recommendations and/or decisions in unique situations, considering alternate actions.

(U) Analytical skills sufficient to analyze complicated and/or sensitive information to address moderately complex mission-related issues.

(U) Research skills sufficient to exploit internal resources, the Internet, and other conventional and unconventional sources.

(U) Collaboration skills to work with others on activities or projects.

(U) Negotiation and interpersonal skills to effectively de-conflict and resolve moderately complex mission-related technical or administrative issues or concerns.

(U) Organizational skill and attention to detail sufficient to plan, coordinate, track, and execute moderately complex work.

(U) Time management skills to meet and adapt to changing requirements and shifting priorities, with general guidance from the principal or others.

(U) Ability to discern nuances in the scope and sensitivity of issues, ask targeted questions to gain a thorough understanding, and take appropriate action.

(U) Ability to independently respond to mission-related requests, issues or concerns, or task appropriate personnel to respond.

(U) Ability to operate successfully in a moderate to fast-paced work environment.

(U) Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality in interactions with all level of contacts within and outside the organization.

(U) Ability to establish, maintain, and leverage contacts and professional relationships to accomplish duties.

(U) Ability to adapt to changing work requirements and priorities.

(U) Minimum Qualifications

(U) Experience:

(U) Four to five (4-5) years of progressively responsible administrative support experience with at least one to two (1-2) years of administrative support at the executive level.

(U) Education:

(U) Required: High School Diploma or GED

(U) Preferred: Associates or Bachelors' degree