The principal track is DepEd's school-administration career line, separate from classroom teaching.
School Principal ranks (DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025):
- School Principal I — SG 19, ₱59,153/month at Step 1 in 2026
- School Principal II — SG 20, ₱66,052
- School Principal III — SG 21, ₱73,303
- School Principal IV — SG 22, ₱81,796
Beyond the school: division, regional and central office leadership positions, filled under DepEd's own qualification standards.
How to get there:
- Teachers choose the administration line once they reach Master Teacher I
- DepEd sets the qualification standards and school-head assessment for each rank
What it means for you:
- More administration and less classroom teaching
- The top principal rank pays the same Salary Grade as Master Teacher V (SG 22)