Your statement/query: "they really seem to earn a lot" is too general.

You must define what "is a lot" to you.

For some people, $10k a month is a lot, but many here will sneer at such low salaries.

So what "is a lot" to you?

But just to help you out a little, not all school principals are superscale. Those not on superscale grade will hit a ceiling of about $15k a month, and with 5 - 6 months bonuses including the 13th month, their annual package can come up to $270k a year. Is that a lot?

For superscale principals, their annual pay packages can cross over $300k a year.

I know many people in the finance/banking industries will be laughing at this kind of pay. It is probably what a junior guy earns after 5 years.

Many people who are successful tend to marry similarly successful people. So you can imagine for a 2-graduate, dual income, professional family, their combined income can hit upwards of $400k - $500k a year. These "power" couples can easily buy condos and BMs and what not.

I know because I am in a such a situation, but then again, people in the finance/banking industries said our income was chicken feed.

It is all relative, at the end of the day.