For school heads at pre-primary education level the remuneration is regulated by the collective agreement and the salary negotiation is done between the employee and the local municipality. For upper secondary level, the collective agreement stipulates that the salary is negotiated between the employee and the schoolboard. For primary and lower secondary education, the decision-making is done by a collective agreement.

There are no formal qualification requirements for school heads. However, it is general practice that school heads at pre-primary level have a bachelor’s degree in social education (ISCED 6); at primary and lower secondary. school heads have often completed a teacher education programme and worked as a teacher previously (ISCED 6). In upper secondary the qualification requirement is ISCED 7.

Since there is no minimum nor maximum salary, the school heads negotiate their salary progression with the municipality. Decision is therefore taken at the local level.

School heads can be employed as civil servants.