Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $64,090 +66.6% vs national
Median hourly $30.81
10th percentile $45,310
90th percentile $80,800
Employed locally 9,370
National median $38,470

Compare Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary & buying power

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Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
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    In San Francisco, CA, substitute teachers on a short-term basis have a median annual salary of $64,090, with an average hourly wage of $30.81. This is significantly higher than the national median for this occupation, which stands at $38,470. When compared to local household incomes in San Francisco, where the median is $133,780, substitute teachers earn roughly 48% of a typical household's income. Despite this gap, the salary for short-term substitutes in the city outpaces many other professions, reflecting both the high cost of living and the demand for skilled educators in one of the nation’s most expensive cities.

    The earnings spectrum for substitute teachers in San Francisco shows variability based on experience levels. Entry-level substitutes, earning around the 10th percentile at $45,310 annually, are compensated less than their more seasoned counterparts who might reach up to the 90th percentile with salaries as high as $80,800 per year. The difference in pay is driven by factors such as accumulated teaching experience, specialization in specific subjects or grade levels, and familiarity with district procedures and policies. Experienced substitutes often command higher wages due to their ability to seamlessly integrate into classrooms and manage diverse student needs effectively, which is highly valued by school districts operating under tight budgets and staffing constraints.

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,310
    25th
    $56,810
    50th (median)
    $64,090
    75th
    $74,680
    90th
    $80,800

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary vs area income 48% Median Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary is 52% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Substitute Teachers, Short-Term make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in San Francisco, CA is $30.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.72 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries?

    The median Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in San Francisco, CA is 66.6% above the national median of $38,470. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in San Francisco?

    Entry-level Substitute Teachers, Short-Term (10th percentile) earn around $45,310 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,810.