Principals and job satisfaction

Building principals, as well as most educators, are typically satisfied with their overall jobs. However, some specific aspects of work are not rated as favorably as others. This study investigated the relationship of factors, such as gender, size of enrollment, and years of experience, to principalship job satisfaction. A survey sample of American midwestern elementary, middle, and senior high school principals responded to the Principals Job Satisfaction Survey (PJSS). The PJSS was based on Herzberg’s Motivation‐Hygiene Theory. Eight components of job satisfaction were compared with four principalship descriptive variables. PJSS was mailed to 500 principals and 226 survey forms were returned and useable, which resulted in a 45.2 percent return rate. Chi‐square analyses revealed the relationships and differences between the independent and dependent variables. It was found that American midwestern principals were generally satisfied with their current job, colleagues/co‐workers and level of responsibility. However, they were less satisfied with their pay, opportunities for advancement, and fringe benefits.