How much does a substitute teacher make in Santa Cruz?
$59,900a year
Median yearly pay for substitute teachers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $28.80 an hour or $4,992 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.80
- Vs. national median
- +44%
- Rank among cities
- 25 of 323
- Jobs in the area
- 1,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $43,150Median: $59,900Highest 10%: $59,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,150 | $20.75 | |
| 25th | $59,900 | $28.80 | |
| Median | $59,900 | $28.80 | |
| 75th | $59,900 | $28.80 | |
| 90th | $59,900 | $28.80 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for substitute teachers.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Special Education Teacher | $101,100 |
| Teacher and Instructor | $101,100 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,260 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $99,230 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $98,810 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher | $80,100 |
| Middle School Teacher | $79,490 |
| Special Education Teacher | $75,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Worker | $70,570 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,120 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a substitute teacher make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $28.80 ($59,900 a year).
Do substitute teachers make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $59,900 against $41,670 nationally, 44% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $60,300, so Santa Cruz pays 1% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for substitute teacher pay?
25 of 323 metro areas with data.
How much does a substitute teacher make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,150 or less a year; the top 10% make $59,900 or more.
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.