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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in California is $39,340 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Substitute Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Substitute Teacher Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $42,747 | $3,562 | $822 | $21 |
| Average | $39,340 | $3,278 | $757 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,333 | $2,944 | $679 | $17 |
Slater Schools - Pico Rivera, CA
Acension Lutheran Early Childhood Center - Thousand Oaks, CA
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission - Fresno, CA
Ascension Lutheran School - Thousand Oaks, CA
A Substitute Teacher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Substitute Teacher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Substitute Teacher | $37,242 |
| Intermediate Level Substitute Teacher | $37,550 |
| Senior Level Substitute Teacher | $39,090 |
| Specialist Level Substitute Teacher | $40,342 |
| Expert Level Substitute Teacher | $40,994 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Substitute Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Substitute Teacher roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Substitute Teacher positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Substitute Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $59,010 | $28.0 | 50% |
| Business Services | $47,208 | $23.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Substitute Teacher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $42,747 | $3,562 | $822 | $21 |
| Average | $39,340 | $3,278 | $757 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,333 | $2,944 | $679 | $17 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Substitute Teacher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Swing Education
Stockton, CA
Swing Education | Stockton, CA
Substitute Teacher Jobs - Flexible, High-Paying, No Surprise Calls Join Swing Education and become a K-12 substitute teacher in the Stockton and San Joaqui... more
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Swing Education
San Pablo, CA
Swing Education | San Pablo, CA
Substitute Teacher Jobs - Flexible, High-Paying, No Surprise Calls Join Swing Education and become a K-12 substitute teacher in California with the freedom... more
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Vallejo, CA
Swing Education | Vallejo, CA
Substitute Teacher Jobs - Flexible, High-Paying, No Surprise Calls Join Swing Education and become a K-12 substitute teacher in California with the freedom... more
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ElevatEd
Oakland, CA
ElevatEd | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. . Temple Sinai - With nearly 1000 member families, Temple Sinai has a vibrant program of religious, spiritual, educationa... more
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Guidepost Montessori
Richmond, CA
Guidepost Montessori | Richmond, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Looking for a flexible role working with children in a meaningful, supportive environment. Join our. on-call Substitute T... more
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City Tree Christian School
San Diego, CA
City Tree Christian School | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. City Tree Christian School is a wonderful community of teachers, staff, and families working together to educate our chil... more
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