Catholic school principals oversee all of the educational functions in their schools, including the implementation of religious studies. They select and hire teachers, assist with budget planning and evaluate and monitor the curricula and academic performance of all students. If you want to become a Catholic school principal, you will need at least a master's degree. Your annual salary can vary by geographical area or the type of school in which you teach.

Salary and Qualifications

The average annual salary of a Catholic school principal was $44,000 as of 2013, according to the job site Simply Hired. To become a private or public school principal, you need the minimum of a master's degree in education leadership or education administration, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You may also need an education degree and two or more years of teaching experience, as many principals have teaching backgrounds. Other essential qualifications include leadership, communication, people, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Employer Salaries

Average salaries for Catholic school principals varied the most in the South region in 2013, according to Simply Hired, where they earned the least in Mississippi and most in Washington, D.C. -- $34,000 and $69,000, respectively. Those in the Midwest made $34,000 to $47,000 per year in South Dakota and Minnesota, respectively. If you worked as a Catholic school principal in Maine or Massachusetts, you'd average $40,000 or $53,000, respectively -- the lowest and highest salaries in the Northeast. In the West, you'd earn the most in Alaska or California or least in Montana at $50,000 or $35,000, respectively.

Salary Comparisons

In 2013, Catholic elementary school principals earned average annual salaries of $51,000, according to Simply Hired, while those employed by high schools made $43,000 annually. The average annual salary for all school principals in the United States was $90,800, based on 2012 BLS data. Catholic school teachers often earn less than those in public schools, according to FoxNews.com, and are not represented by large unions. Many teach smaller classes as well.

Job Outlook

The BLS predicts a 10 percent increase in employment for elementary, middle and high school principals from 2010 to 2020, which is statistically about average compared to the projected 14 percent increase for all occupations. Increases in enrollment at schools among all age groups may increase jobs for principals at both public and Catholic schools. You may find more job opportunities in the South and West because of faster growth in those regions.