Wisconsin · Career guide
How to become a Principal in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Wisconsin
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an approved 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. Wisconsin typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE) — Basic reading, writing, and math skills
- Praxis Subject Assessment — Content knowledge for the certification area
- edTPA — Performance assessment during student teaching
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 Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) →
- Job-search in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Wisconsin offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Alternative Program License (APL): For career changers employed by a school district
- License Based on Reciprocity: Quick pathway for out-of-state licensed teachers
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) licenses
Wisconsin salary context
Average teacher salary in Wisconsin: $55,066/year (rank #36 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $33,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Wisconsin salary guide for the breakdown.