California Median
$60,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+45% vs US median
US median $41,670
State Rank
#2 of 50
115,660 employed here
How much does a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in California?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in California take home a median of $60,300 annually — roughly $28.99 an hour — which runs 45% above the national median of $41,670.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,040 while the top 10% make $78,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,210 and $68,280 a year.
Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,040 | $18.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,210 | $23.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,300 | $28.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $68,280 | $32.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,670 | $37.82 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 50 states and territories for Substitute Teacher, Short-Term pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary in other states
Alaska $66,920Hawaii $58,530Oregon $58,280Washington $55,740Minnesota $50,390District of Columbia $49,790West Virginia $49,020Maryland $46,470Rhode Island $45,590Pennsylvania $44,870Wisconsin $43,950New Jersey $43,780New York $43,490North Dakota $42,570Massachusetts $41,350Michigan $39,500Illinois $39,410Virginia $39,020Georgia $38,870Arizona $38,500Connecticut $38,460Vermont $38,200Nebraska $37,690Maine $37,440Iowa $37,230Ohio $37,150Florida $37,080Wyoming $36,990Delaware $36,510Utah $36,490New Mexico $36,400Indiana $36,360Kansas $36,190New Hampshire $34,990Missouri $34,790Idaho $34,080North Carolina $33,780Texas $32,040South Carolina $30,400Kentucky $29,730Tennessee $29,500Arkansas $29,230Montana $28,050South Dakota $27,840Louisiana $27,370Alabama $25,340Nevada $24,960Oklahoma $23,770Mississippi $22,340
Working as a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term in California
Nationally, about 525,000 people work as Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($60,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in California?
The median Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary in California is $60,300 per year, or about $28.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,040 at the entry level to $78,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Substitute Teachers, Short-Term about 45% more than the national median of $41,670. California ranks 2nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,300 a year. About 115,660 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.