Best cities for a substitute instructor
The best cities for substitute instructors are Mesa, AZ, Glendale, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for substitute instructors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for substitute instructors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a substitute instructor or considering a move, this list of the best cities for substitute instructors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for substitute instructors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a substitute instructor. While the absolute best city for substitute instructors is Mesa, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for substitute instructors in 2024.
If you're looking for a substitute instructor job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for substitute instructors in 2025
1. Mesa, AZ
Total substitute instructor jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $39,462 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 11.54 2. Glendale, AZ
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $39,519 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total substitute instructor jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $39,507 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.44 4. Chandler, AZ
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $39,477 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Gilbert, AZ
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $39,466 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Tucson, AZ
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $39,466 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Austin, TX
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,509 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Corpus Christi, TX
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,409 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. New Orleans, LA
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,111 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Lubbock, TX
Total substitute instructor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,301 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for substitute instructors
- Mesa, AZ
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Chandler, AZ
- Gilbert, AZ
- Tucson, AZ
- Austin, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- New Orleans, LA
- Lubbock, TX
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Detailed list of the best cities for a substitute instructor
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mesa, AZ | $39,462 | $30,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 2 | Glendale, AZ | $39,519 | $30,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,507 | $30,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 4 | Chandler, AZ | $39,477 | $30,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 5 | Gilbert, AZ | $39,466 | $30,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 6 | Tucson, AZ | $39,466 | $30,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $34,509 | $25,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 8 | Corpus Christi, TX | $34,409 | $25,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 9 | New Orleans, LA | $34,111 | $25,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 10 | Lubbock, TX | $34,301 | $25,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $32,712 | $25,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 12 | Milwaukee, WI | $35,491 | $27,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 13 | Reno, NV | $34,015 | $25,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 14 | Houston, TX | $34,134 | $25,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 15 | Lincoln, NE | $33,167 | $25,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 16 | Scottsdale, AZ | $39,477 | $29,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 17 | Fort Worth, TX | $33,809 | $25,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 18 | Arlington, TX | $33,788 | $25,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 19 | Omaha, NE | $33,030 | $25,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 20 | Dallas, TX | $33,720 | $25,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 21 | Irving, TX | $33,715 | $25,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 22 | Madison, WI | $35,472 | $27,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 23 | Louisville, KY | $34,108 | $26,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 24 | Garland, TX | $33,639 | $25,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 25 | Lexington, KY | $34,072 | $26,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 26 | Plano, TX | $33,601 | $25,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 27 | Las Vegas, NV | $33,351 | $25,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 28 | El Paso, TX | $35,620 | $27,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 29 | Laredo, TX | $34,675 | $26,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 30 | Henderson, NV | $33,322 | $25,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 31 | San Antonio, TX | $34,659 | $26,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 32 | North Las Vegas, NV | $33,310 | $25,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 33 | Chicago, IL | $36,753 | $28,000 | 2,704,958 | 3 |
| 34 | San Francisco, CA | $40,699 | $30,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 35 | Oakland, CA | $40,660 | $30,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 36 | Fremont, CA | $40,610 | $30,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 37 | San Jose, CA | $40,586 | $30,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 38 | Stockton, CA | $40,475 | $30,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 39 | Sacramento, CA | $40,473 | $30,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 40 | San Diego, CA | $39,135 | $30,000 | 1,406,630 | 23 |
| 41 | Fresno, CA | $40,145 | $30,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 42 | Los Angeles, CA | $39,505 | $30,000 | 3,976,322 | 4 |
| 43 | Portland, OR | $36,829 | $28,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 44 | Bakersfield, CA | $39,846 | $30,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 45 | Long Beach, CA | $39,428 | $30,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 46 | Anaheim, CA | $39,405 | $30,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 47 | Santa Ana, CA | $39,383 | $30,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 48 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,156 | $23,000 | 1,567,872 | 3 |
| 49 | Irvine, CA | $39,358 | $30,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 50 | Chula Vista, CA | $39,099 | $30,000 | 267,172 | - |
Highest paying cities for substitute instructors
| Rank | City | Avg. substitute instructor salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redwood City, CA | $40,663 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,507 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $36,753 |
| 4 | Milwaukee, WI | $35,491 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $35,012 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $34,134 |
| 7 | New Orleans, LA | $34,111 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $33,894 |
| 9 | Castle Rock, CO | $32,773 |
| 10 | Prior Lake, MN | $32,633 |
| 11 | McLean, VA | $31,820 |
| 12 | Kansas City, MO | $31,814 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,156 |
| 14 | New Haven, CT | $31,085 |
| 15 | Billings, MT | $30,434 |
| 16 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $30,347 |
| 17 | Dayton, OH | $29,317 |
| 18 | Indianapolis, IN | $27,250 |
Substitute instructor best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025