Principal Jobs in Illinois

Principal jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in K-12 public school districts, private and charter schools, and higher education administration, with opportunities at every level from assistant principal through district-level leadership. Chicago, Naperville, and Rockford are the state's most active hiring markets, anchored by employers such as Chicago Public Schools, the Diocese of Chicago, and Elgin Area School District U-46. The most sought-after specialties include instructional leadership, special education administration, and urban school turnaround. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Principal Jobs

Overview

Open roles103+
Top employerAbbVie
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring31
Work type67% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 103+ Principal jobs

Principal Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Added 1d ago
Principal Engineer
Baxter
Round Lake, Illinois
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$112k - $154k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Assistant Principal
We won't show you this job again
Added 2d ago
Assistant Principal
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, Illinois
Academic & Educational Administration
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Teaching & Instruction
$128k - $157k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Principal, Digital Transformation - Insurance AI Lead
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Principal, Digital Transformation - Insurance AI Lead
Baker Tilly Canada
Chicago, Illinois
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in business
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Principal, Digital Transformation - National Insurance Lead
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Principal, Digital Transformation - National Insurance Lead
Baker Tilly Canada
Chicago, Illinois
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in business
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Principal, Business Development GTM Strategy & Planning
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Principal, Business Development GTM Strategy & Planning
Chamberlain Group
Oak Brook, Illinois
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
$130k - $209k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree in business administration
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 103+ Principal Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Principal Jobs

Principal Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Riverwoods
8 jobs
North Chicago
6 jobs
Oak Brook
4 jobs
Rosemont
3 jobs
Rolling Meadows
3 jobs
Deerfield
2 jobs
Springfield
2 jobs
Vernon Hills
2 jobs

Principal Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

AbbVie7 open roles
Capital One4 open roles
Baker Tilly Canada4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Automotive
  • Manufacturing
  • Telecommunications
  • Accounting & Auditing

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in principal jobs across Illinois.

  • Active Illinois Professional Educator License with Principal endorsement from ISBE required
  • Master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or closely related field
  • Minimum three to five years of classroom teaching experience in an accredited school
  • Completion of an Illinois-approved principal preparation program recognized by ISBE
  • Demonstrated experience with curriculum development, staff evaluation, and school improvement planning
  • Strong familiarity with Illinois school code, ISBE compliance requirements, and state assessment frameworks

Principal Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a principal in Illinois?

To become a principal in Illinois, you must hold a Professional Educator License with a Principal endorsement issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. This requires a master's degree, completion of an ISBE-approved principal preparation program, and passing the Illinois Principal Licensure Examination. Candidates also need verified teaching experience in an accredited school. ISBE's Educator Licensure Information System manages the application and renewal process.

Which companies hire principals in Illinois?

Employers hiring principals in Illinois right now include AbbVie, Capital One, and Baker Tilly Canada, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's large urban and suburban school districts, along with a growing network of charter management organizations headquartered in Chicago, account for a significant share of the state's active openings.

Which Illinois cities have the most principal jobs?

Chicago, Riverwoods, and North Chicago have the most principal openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share by volume given the size of Chicago Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the country, while Naperville and Rockford reflect strong hiring in the DuPage County suburbs and the state's third-largest city, each with sizable independent and charter school populations.

Are there remote principal jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. The principal role is fundamentally on-site, requiring daily presence for staff supervision, student support, and building operations. About 90% of principal openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be in virtual charter schools or district-level administrative roles rather than traditional building leadership positions.

How can I get hired as a principal in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing an assistant principal or dean of students role first, which most Illinois districts treat as the direct pipeline into building leadership. Chicago Public Schools and large suburban districts like Township High School District 214 regularly post assistant principal openings that accept candidates who hold the Principal endorsement but lack formal administrative experience. Building a record in instructional coaching or department chair roles strengthens an application, and completing an Illinois-approved residency program through a university such as National Louis University adds practical standing.

Where can I find and apply to principal jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to principal jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois school districts, charter networks, and private institutions. Find the roles that fit your experience and endorsement level and apply directly through each listing.

See All 103+ Principal Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Principal Jobs