Average Head teachers and principals Salary in Leeds
ONS ASHE 2025 · Yorkshire and The Humber region · Updated October 2025
How Leeds compares
A head teachers and principals working in the Yorkshire and The Humber could expect a median salary of £82,282 in 2025 — 15.9% above the national figure of £70,977. This is particularly notable amid well-documented teacher recruitment and retention challenges across the UK. Factor in the Yorkshire and The Humber's cost of living (9.5% below the UK norm) and a £82,282 salary has the purchasing power of approximately £90,919. The all-jobs average in Leeds is £32,953. By comparison, head teachers and principalss earn 149.7% more than the typical worker locally.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (Yorkshire and The Humber index: 90.5, UK=100), a salary of £82,282 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £90,919 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the Yorkshire and The Humber is 9.5% below the UK average.
Head teachers and principals salary across UK regions
Head teachers and principals salary in areas near Leeds
Salary data is by ONS region. Leeds is in the Yorkshire and The Humber region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Head teachers and principals Salary Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average head teachers and principals salary in Leeds?
The median head teachers and principals salary in the Yorkshire and The Humber (which includes Leeds) is £82,282 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does head teachers and principals pay in Leeds compare to the UK average?
Head teachers and principals in the Yorkshire and The Humber earn 15.9% above the national median of £70,977. This makes the Yorkshire and The Humber one of the higher-paying regions for this role.
Is head teachers and principals a well-paid job in Leeds compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Leeds is £32,953. Head teachers and principals in the Yorkshire and The Humber earn £82,282, which is 149.7% above the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for head teachers and principalss cover the Yorkshire and The Humber region. The all-jobs average is specific to Leeds. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.