Best cities for a substitute teacher
The best cities for substitute teachers are Oakland, CA, Glendale, AZ, and Fresno, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for substitute teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for substitute teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a substitute teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for substitute teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for substitute teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a substitute teacher. While the absolute best city for substitute teachers is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for substitute teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a substitute teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for substitute teachers in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Substitute teacher jobs in OaklandTotal substitute teacher jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $39,510 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $58,000 Location quotient: 3.46 2. Glendale, AZ
Substitute teacher jobs in GlendaleTotal substitute teacher jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $33,326 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 4.80 3. Fresno, CA
Substitute teacher jobs in FresnoTotal substitute teacher jobs: 38 Average annual salary: $38,847 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 11.22 4. Anchorage, AK
Substitute teacher jobs in AnchorageTotal substitute teacher jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $39,933 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 2.28 5. Stockton, CA
Substitute teacher jobs in StocktonTotal substitute teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $39,192 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 1.86 6. Sacramento, CA
Substitute teacher jobs in SacramentoTotal substitute teacher jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $39,123 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $58,000 Location quotient: 1.98 7. Mesa, AZ
Substitute teacher jobs in MesaTotal substitute teacher jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $33,190 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 2.10 8. Anaheim, CA
Substitute teacher jobs in AnaheimTotal substitute teacher jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $38,290 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Location quotient: 6.52 9. Scottsdale, AZ
Total substitute teacher jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $33,197 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 1.75 10. Chula Vista, CA
Substitute teacher jobs in Chula VistaTotal substitute teacher jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $38,026 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 8.03
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Best cities for substitute teachers
- Oakland, CA
- Glendale, AZ
- Fresno, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Stockton, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Mesa, AZ
- Anaheim, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Chula Vista, CA
Detailed list of the best cities for a substitute teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $39,510 | $26,000 | 420,005 | 20 |
| 2 | Glendale, AZ | $33,326 | $23,000 | 245,895 | 8 |
| 3 | Fresno, CA | $38,847 | $26,000 | 522,053 | 38 |
| 4 | Anchorage, AK | $39,933 | $29,000 | 298,192 | 7 |
| 5 | Stockton, CA | $39,192 | $26,000 | 307,072 | 4 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $39,123 | $26,000 | 495,234 | 25 |
| 7 | Mesa, AZ | $33,190 | $23,000 | 484,587 | 6 |
| 8 | Anaheim, CA | $38,290 | $26,000 | 351,043 | 20 |
| 9 | Scottsdale, AZ | $33,197 | $23,000 | 246,645 | 11 |
| 10 | Chula Vista, CA | $38,026 | $26,000 | 267,172 | 7 |
| 11 | Gilbert, AZ | $33,210 | $23,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 12 | San Jose, CA | $39,436 | $26,000 | 1,025,350 | 55 |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $38,434 | $26,000 | 3,976,322 | 71 |
| 14 | Tucson, AZ | $32,918 | $22,000 | 530,706 | 11 |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $30,934 | $21,000 | 292,969 | 3 |
| 16 | Las Vegas, NV | $30,975 | $21,000 | 632,912 | 23 |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,290 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | 34 |
| 18 | Detroit, MI | $29,997 | $20,000 | 672,795 | 13 |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $39,574 | $26,000 | 870,887 | 38 |
| 20 | North Las Vegas, NV | $30,911 | $21,000 | 238,702 | 1 |
| 21 | Riverside, CA | $38,129 | $26,000 | 324,722 | 4 |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $39,449 | $26,000 | 233,136 | 7 |
| 23 | San Diego, CA | $38,046 | $26,000 | 1,406,630 | 47 |
| 24 | Santa Ana, CA | $38,275 | $26,000 | 334,217 | 3 |
| 25 | San Antonio, TX | $26,591 | $18,000 | 1,492,510 | 24 |
| 26 | Corpus Christi, TX | $26,205 | $18,000 | 325,733 | 2 |
| 27 | Buffalo, NY | $29,973 | $20,000 | 256,902 | 24 |
| 28 | Milwaukee, WI | $26,971 | $18,000 | 595,047 | 10 |
| 29 | Denver, CO | $29,418 | $20,000 | 693,060 | 67 |
| 30 | Arlington, TX | $25,921 | $18,000 | 392,772 | 3 |
| 31 | Philadelphia, PA | $27,067 | $18,000 | 1,567,872 | 16 |
| 32 | Portland, OR | $37,644 | $25,000 | 639,863 | 6 |
| 33 | Nashville, TN | $25,609 | $18,000 | 660,388 | 9 |
| 34 | Omaha, NE | $29,053 | $20,000 | 446,970 | 7 |
| 35 | Newark, NJ | $27,251 | $18,000 | 281,764 | 14 |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | $33,242 | $23,000 | 247,477 | 1 |
| 37 | Pittsburgh, PA | $26,766 | $18,000 | 303,625 | 8 |
| 38 | Kansas City, MO | $25,289 | $18,000 | 481,420 | 17 |
| 39 | Seattle, WA | $38,208 | $25,000 | 704,352 | 5 |
| 40 | Aurora, CO | $29,393 | $20,000 | 361,710 | 6 |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $26,970 | $18,000 | 252,551 | 4 |
| 42 | Fort Worth, TX | $25,979 | $18,000 | 854,113 | 6 |
| 43 | Long Beach, CA | $38,366 | $26,000 | 470,130 | 1 |
| 44 | Memphis, TN | $26,121 | $18,000 | 652,717 | 4 |
| 45 | Austin, TX | $26,341 | $18,000 | 947,890 | 16 |
| 46 | Bakersfield, CA | $38,634 | $26,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 47 | Colorado Springs, CO | $29,511 | $20,000 | 465,101 | 7 |
| 48 | Chicago, IL | $26,761 | $18,000 | 2,704,958 | 58 |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,816 | $20,000 | 413,651 | 7 |
| 50 | Indianapolis, IN | $22,902 | $16,000 | 855,164 | 32 |
Highest paying cities for substitute teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. substitute teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $39,574 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,290 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $30,975 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $29,973 |
| 5 | Pueblo, CO | $29,508 |
| 6 | Omaha, NE | $29,053 |
| 7 | Newark, NJ | $27,251 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $26,971 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $26,761 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $26,591 |
| 11 | Wentzville, MO | $24,774 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $24,584 |
| 13 | Baltimore, MD | $23,817 |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | $22,902 |
| 15 | Miami, FL | $22,885 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $22,199 |
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Updated January 8, 2025