NOC 2021 · 40021 · TEER 0
NOC 40021: School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
School principals plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of teachers and other staff of an elementary or secondary school. They are employed by public and private schools. Administrators of elementary and secondary education plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the academic affairs of a school system. They are employed by school boards.
TEER
TEER 0
Management occupations
Median wage (Canada)
$55.29 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 2
+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 40021 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 40021 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +40 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 70 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 40021 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- School principals
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate, 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
- Coordinate teaching activities of the institution by making personnel assignments, determining class size and preparing timetables
- Organize and maintain procedures for the keeping of records
- Prepare and administer institution or program budget
- Direct and coordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities
- May recruit and hire teachers and other staff
- May teach.
- Administrators of elementary and secondary education
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate, through school principals, the academic affairs of a school district
- Evaluate curriculum, teaching methods and community participation in programs for a school district and revise programs as required
- Develop and administer programs for the education and training of students and adults
- Make recommendations concerning the annual operating budget of a school district
- Direct the recruitment, appointment, training, evaluation and promotion of teaching personnel.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- board of education administrator
- chief superintendent - schools
- director of education - correctional institution
- director of school for the hearing impaired
- district school superintendent
- private school headmaster/mistress
- school principal
- school vice-principal
- secondary school principal
- superintendent of elementary education
- superintendent of secondary schools
- superintendent of special education
All 51 job titles in NOC 40021
- Aboriginal school principal
- academic dean - high school
- academic superintendent
- area superintendent - schools
- assistant district school superintendent
- assistant principal
- assistant school district superintendent
- assistant superintendent of schools
- associate superintendent - schools
- board of education administrator
- business college principal
- chief superintendent - schools
- college principal - secondary level
- community school principal
- deputy superintendent - schools
- director of education - correctional institution
- director of school for the blind or deaf
- director of school for the hearing impaired
- director of school for the visually impaired
- district school assistant superintendent
- district school superintendent
- elementary school principal
- hall principal - secondary school
- high school principal
- Native school principal
- principal
- private primary college principal
- private school headmaster/mistress
- private school principal
- regional schools superintendent
- regional superintendent - schools
- school board administrator
- school district assistant superintendent
- school district superintendent
- school principal
- school superintendent
- school vice-principal
- secondary school principal
- superintendent of academic affairs
- superintendent of education programs
- superintendent of education programs in public schools
- superintendent of educational services
- superintendent of elementary education
- superintendent of elementary schools
- superintendent of operations - schools
- superintendent of professional development - schools
- superintendent of secondary schools
- superintendent of special education
- superintendent of student services
- technical high school principal
- vocational high school principal
Requirements
Employment requirements
- 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.
Additional information
- There is little mobility between institutional settings, for example, between elementary and secondary schools.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 40021 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $36.54 | $55.29 | $71.51 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $37.50 | $50.00 | $75.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Prince Edward Island | $29.74 | $52.31 | $61.54 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $33.33 | $55.29 | $71.15 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $37.50 | $49.52 | $60.10 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $38.18 | $54.81 | $65.93 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $35.71 | $57.14 | $72.19 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $37.06 | $49.44 | $62.50 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $38.46 | $53.85 | $74.23 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $39.53 | $56.73 | $64.16 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $30.77 | $57.21 | $90.38 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nunavut | $50.82 | $72.95 | $88.26 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta.
GoodNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Good for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in New Brunswick:
Approximately 700 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 36% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 64% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 19% compared to 16% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 79% compared to 7% for all occupations
GoodOntario
The employment outlook will be Good for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Ontario:
Approximately 13,450 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 35% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 65% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 56% compared to 13% for all occupations
GoodManitoba
The employment outlook will be Good for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Demand for this occupation is influenced by population growth, student enrollment, and provincial government spending. Federal government reduction in immigration targets may impact population growth and student enrollment.
Key trends are adaptive, flexible, collaborative and inclusive leadership.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Manitoba:
Approximately 1,500 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 42% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 57% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 55% compared to 8% for all occupations
GoodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Good for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Alberta:
Approximately 6,200 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 42% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 57% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 27% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 70% compared to 9% for all occupations
ModerateNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Moderate for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 450 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 48% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 52% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModeratePrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Moderate for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 54% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 46% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 93% compared to 8% for all occupations
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 600 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 38% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 62% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 91% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Quebec:
Approximately 6,750 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 33% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 67% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 31% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 63% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Moderate for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
This occupation is influenced by population growth, student enrollment, and provincial government spending.
Investment in new educational infrastructure including ongoing funding for 25 new or consolidated schools and 1 new replacement school should create new hiring opportunities and support employment growth in this occupation.
Recent federal government cuts and caps on immigration levels for the period 2025-2027 is slowing Saskatchewan’s international net migration-driven population growth and may soften the population-driven demand for services offered by this occupation.
Demand for this occupation may be greater in Regina and Saskatoon.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 1,500 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 41% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 59% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 28% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 68% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
In the 2024/25 school year, there were about 600,000 students enrolled in public schools around the province, a 3.7% increase from the previous year.
This was the highest enrollment figure since 1999.
Persistent demand for teaching occupations remains at all levels of education in British Columbia.
Some schools in the province have been experiencing a shortage of instructors.
Investments in public school services around the province will improve employment opportunities in the educational services sector.
In 2025, the Government of British Columbia opened new schools and announced school expansion projects in communities including the Cowichan Valley, Langford, Surrey, and Langley.
Here are some key facts about school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education in British Columbia:
Approximately 5,700 people work in this occupation.
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education mainly work in the following sectors:
Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 44% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 56% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 84% compared to 12% for all occupations
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 40021 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
- 40020 Administrators - post-secondary education and vocational training
- 41405 Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers
- 40012 Government managers - education policy development and program administration
- 00013 Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
Same occupation group
Managers in education
Questions
NOC 40021: common questions
What is the NOC code for school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education?
What TEER category is NOC 40021?
Is NOC 40021 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 40021 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 40021 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 40021 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 4Occupations in education, law and social, community and government servicesBroad Category
- 40Managers in public administration, in education and social and community services and in public protection servicesMajor Group
- 400Managers in public administration, in education and social and community services and in public protection servicesSub-major Group
- 4002Managers in educationMinor Group
- 40021School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
Enquiry
Is NOC 40021 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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