Best cities for a substitute school teacher
The best cities for substitute school teachers are Oakland, CA, Anaheim, CA, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for substitute school teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for substitute school teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a substitute school teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for substitute school teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for substitute school teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a substitute school teacher. While the absolute best city for substitute school teachers is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for substitute school teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a substitute school teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for substitute school teachers in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $47,180 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Location quotient: 2.81 2. Anaheim, CA
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $43,905 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $67,000 Location quotient: 5.30 3. Fremont, CA
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $46,952 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Location quotient: 0.67 4. San Francisco, CA
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $47,345 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.34 5. Mesa, AZ
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $35,818 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 2.85 6. North Las Vegas, NV
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $32,841 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 6.14 7. Los Angeles, CA
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $44,243 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 0.47 8. Chandler, AZ
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $35,900 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 1.35 9. Sacramento, CA
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $46,442 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.32 10. Tucson, AZ
Total substitute school teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $35,578 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 2.38
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Best cities for substitute school teachers
- Oakland, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Mesa, AZ
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- (4 substitute school teacher jobs)
- (4 substitute school teacher jobs)
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- (5 substitute school teacher jobs)
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- (2 substitute school teacher jobs)
- (1 substitute school teacher jobs)
- (4 substitute school teacher jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a substitute school teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $47,180 | $29,000 | 420,005 | 4 |
| 2 | Anaheim, CA | $43,905 | $28,000 | 351,043 | 4 |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $46,952 | $29,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $47,345 | $29,000 | 870,887 | 5 |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | $35,818 | $24,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 6 | North Las Vegas, NV | $32,841 | $21,000 | 238,702 | 1 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $44,243 | $28,000 | 3,976,322 | 6 |
| 8 | Chandler, AZ | $35,900 | $24,000 | 247,477 | 2 |
| 9 | Sacramento, CA | $46,442 | $29,000 | 495,234 | 1 |
| 10 | Tucson, AZ | $35,578 | $23,000 | 530,706 | 4 |
| 11 | Portland, OR | $45,934 | $29,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 12 | San Jose, CA | $46,845 | $29,000 | 1,025,350 | 1 |
| 13 | Milwaukee, WI | $32,698 | $23,000 | 595,047 | 4 |
| 14 | San Diego, CA | $43,275 | $28,000 | 1,406,630 | 5 |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $45,336 | $28,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,993 | $24,000 | 1,615,017 | 6 |
| 17 | Anchorage, AK | $49,014 | $36,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 18 | Stockton, CA | $46,449 | $29,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 19 | Bakersfield, CA | $44,733 | $28,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 20 | Long Beach, CA | $44,070 | $28,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 21 | Santa Ana, CA | $43,864 | $28,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 22 | Minneapolis, MN | $32,084 | $23,000 | 413,651 | 7 |
| 23 | Fort Worth, TX | $28,096 | $18,000 | 854,113 | 3 |
| 24 | Irvine, CA | $43,787 | $28,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 25 | San Antonio, TX | $28,512 | $18,000 | 1,492,510 | 3 |
| 26 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $47,842 | $38,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 27 | Riverside, CA | $43,545 | $28,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 28 | Glendale, AZ | $36,052 | $24,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 29 | Austin, TX | $28,326 | $18,000 | 947,890 | 5 |
| 30 | Reno, NV | $35,243 | $22,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 31 | Buffalo, NY | $33,358 | $22,000 | 256,902 | 2 |
| 32 | Chula Vista, CA | $43,215 | $28,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 33 | Seattle, WA | $39,195 | $25,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 34 | Scottsdale, AZ | $35,850 | $24,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 35 | Gilbert, AZ | $35,848 | $24,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 36 | Saint Louis, MO | $25,769 | $18,000 | 311,404 | 15 |
| 37 | Las Vegas, NV | $32,959 | $21,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 38 | Henderson, NV | $32,843 | $21,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 39 | Madison, WI | $32,918 | $23,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 40 | El Paso, TX | $32,052 | $21,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 41 | Laredo, TX | $28,604 | $18,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 42 | Kansas City, MO | $26,782 | $19,000 | 481,420 | 12 |
| 43 | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,964 | $18,000 | 303,625 | 3 |
| 44 | Detroit, MI | $28,961 | $20,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 45 | Arlington, TX | $28,013 | $18,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 46 | Saint Paul, MN | $32,037 | $23,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 47 | Lubbock, TX | $29,866 | $20,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 48 | Irving, TX | $27,955 | $18,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 49 | Wichita, KS | $28,396 | $20,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 50 | Dallas, TX | $27,903 | $18,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
Highest paying cities for substitute school teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. substitute school teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $47,473 |
| 2 | Salem, OR | $46,089 |
| 3 | Flagstaff, AZ | $35,410 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $32,084 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $31,843 |
| 6 | Santa Fe, NM | $28,930 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $28,202 |
| 8 | Fort Collins, CO | $28,119 |
| 9 | Manassas, VA | $27,778 |
| 10 | Kansas City, MO | $26,782 |
| 11 | Danbury, CT | $26,150 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,964 |
| 13 | Jersey City, NJ | $25,122 |
| 14 | Plainfield, IN | $23,534 |
| 15 | Gainesville, FL | $22,980 |
| 16 | Dover, DE | $22,727 |
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Updated January 8, 2025