How much does a substitute teacher make in California?
$60,300a year
Median yearly pay for substitute teachers in California. That is $28.99 an hour or $5,025 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.99
- Vs. national median
- +45%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 115,660
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,040Median: $60,300Highest 10%: $78,670
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,040 | $18.77 | |
| 25th | $49,210 | $23.66 | |
| Median | $60,300 | $28.99 | |
| 75th | $68,280 | $32.83 | |
| 90th | $78,670 | $37.82 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Napa, CA | $76,520 |
| San Jose, CA | $72,330 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $66,480 |
| Vallejo, CA | $66,000 |
| Stockton, CA | $65,190 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,970 |
| Modesto, CA | $63,440 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,310 |
| Oxnard, CA | $62,260 |
| Yuba City, CA | $61,710 |
| Hanford, CA | $61,590 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $61,290 |
| Chico, CA | $61,030 |
| San Francisco, CA | $60,790 |
| Riverside, CA | $60,780 |
| Merced, CA | $60,770 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $59,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $59,860 |
| Sacramento, CA | $59,780 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $58,620 |
| Redding, CA | $57,460 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $57,210 |
| Visalia, CA | $56,040 |
| Fresno, CA | $54,890 |
| El Centro, CA | $54,420 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for substitute teachers.
| 1. Alaska | $66,920 |
| 2. California | $60,300 |
| 3. Hawaii | $58,530 |
| 4. Oregon | $58,280 |
| 5. Washington | $55,740 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a substitute teacher make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $28.99 ($60,300 a year).
Do substitute teachers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $60,300 against $41,670 nationally, 45% more.
Where does California rank for substitute teacher pay?
California ranks 2 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays substitute teachers the most?
Napa, CA, with a median of $76,520 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.