Washington · Career guide
How to become a Principal in Washington
Principals manage a school's instruction, operations, staff, family engagement, and student safety. The role typically requires 3-5 years of classroom teaching, a master's degree in educational leadership, completion of a state-approved principal preparation program, and passage of a state administrator licensure exam. Salaries materially exceed classroom-teacher pay (often by 40-70%) but the hours and accountability are correspondingly higher.
No principal / school leadership positions are open in Washington right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Washington
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Washington typically requires:
- WEST-B (Washington Educator Skills Tests — Basic) — Reading, writing, and mathematics (waived with qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores)
- West-E Subject Knowledge Assessment — Content area knowledge for your endorsement(s)
- edTPA — Performance assessment during student teaching (required for residency completion)
Principal / administrator licensure is a distinct tier with its own preparation program and exam. Some states require an internship under a sitting principal as part of certification.
- Apply for your initial license through Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) →
- Job-search in Washington. We'll track principal / school leadership openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Washington
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Washington offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Residency Certification Program: Non-traditional preparation while employed by a district
- Troops to Teachers: Support for military veterans entering teaching
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificates for industry professionals
- Washington Teacher Corps (for high-need schools)
Washington salary context
Average teacher salary in Washington: $67,687/year (rank #16 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $44,700/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Washington salary guide for the breakdown.