Substitute Teacher Jobs in California
Substitute teacher jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand concentrated in K-12 public school districts, charter networks, and private schools from Los Angeles and San Diego to Sacramento and the Bay Area. Large unified school districts such as Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified, and San Francisco Unified are among the most consistent hirers, alongside placement agencies like Kelly Education that staff districts statewide. The most in-demand specialties are special education support, bilingual instruction, and secondary-level math and science. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Oak Tree Learning Center | Los Angeles, CA 90043 (View Park / Windsor Hills — Slauson Ave)
Shift Options: Full Days (9 AM – 6 PM) or Afternoon Shifts (e.g., 12 PM – 6 PM)
Shift Guarantee: 4-Hour Minimum Pay Guaranteed per Assignment!
Earn Great Pay with Flexible Shift Options in ECE!
Are you an ECE student, seasoned educator, or childcare professional looking for flexible, high-paying shifts?
Oak Tree Learning Center is urgently hiring reliable On-Call Substitute Teachers for our View Park/Windsor Hills campus. We are looking for dependable educators who have availability during our core operating hours—specifically for Full-Day (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM) or Afternoon Half-Day (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM) shifts to step in when our regular teaching staff need coverage.
Why Join Oak Tree as a Substitute?
- Top-Tier Hourly Pay: Earn $23.00 – $25.00/hr depending on your ECE units and classroom experience.
- Flexible Shift Options: Cover full 8-hour days or half-day afternoon shifts (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM) that fit your schedule.
- Fast Onboarding: We move quickly through the hiring process so you can start working right away.
- Supportive Environment: Work in a highly organized, academic-focused center where subs are valued as core members of our team.
- Foot in the Door: On-call subs get priority consideration for full-time permanent teaching roles as they open up!
What We Are Looking For:
- Availability for 4 to 8-Hour Shifts: Candidates available for 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM full days or 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM afternoon coverage.
- Reliability & Communication: Highly responsive when shifts open up, punctual, and dependable once a shift is confirmed.
- ECE Qualifications: Minimum 6 to 12+ core ECE/Child Development units (or a valid CA Child Development Permit).
- Adaptability: Comfortable stepping into infant, toddler, or preschool classrooms to keep routines structured, safe, and engaging.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide engaging, safe, and attentive care for infant, toddler, or preschool classrooms during regular teacher absences.
- Support classroom flow during critical shift windows (such as lunch coverage, diaper changing, potty training, naptime transitions, and afternoon pick-up until 6:00 PM).
- Assist lead teachers with daily schedules, outdoor play, snacks, and afternoon activities.
- Ensure compliance with California Title 22 safety regulations and health guidelines.
Requirements:
- 6+ ECE/Child Development units minimum (12+ units preferred).
- Prior experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool preferred.
- Ability to pass CDSS / Live Scan background clearance, TB test, and required CA state immunizations.
- CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
Need flexible shift work with guaranteed hours and great pay? Apply today!
We review applications daily and contact qualified candidates within 24–48 hours for quick interviews
Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
See All 160+ Substitute Teacher Jobs in California
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Find Substitute Teacher JobsSubstitute Teacher Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substitute Teacher Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Bright Horizons Family Solutions10

- Stratford School7

- Ensemble Performing Arts7

- HIGH TECH HIGH5

- Volunteers of America5

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substitute teacher jobs across California.
- Hold a valid California 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit or Clear credential issued by CTC
- Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Pass a LiveScan fingerprint background check approved by the California Department of Justice
- Completion of a tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment or clearance within the last four years
- Demonstrated classroom management ability or prior experience working with K-12 students
- Strong communication skills and ability to follow existing lesson plans independently
Substitute Teacher Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substitute teacher in California?
To become a substitute teacher in California, you need a 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. You apply directly through the CTC online portal, submit official transcripts, pass a LiveScan fingerprint background check, and clear a TB risk assessment. Once your permit is issued, individual school districts handle hiring and onboarding independently.
Which companies hire substitute teachers in California?
Companies currently hiring substitute teachers in California include Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Stratford School, and Ensemble Performing Arts, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's size means both large unified school districts and statewide staffing agencies maintain ongoing substitute rosters year-round, with the heaviest volume in urban districts.
Which California cities have the most substitute teacher jobs?
The cities with the most substitute teacher openings in California are Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. The distribution follows population density and the size of local unified school districts, with Los Angeles leading due to the sheer scale of LAUSD, while Sacramento and San Diego anchor hiring in their respective regions through large district networks and nearby charter operators.
Are there remote substitute teacher jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 4% of substitute teacher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, since the role is fundamentally classroom-based and requires in-person presence with students. The exceptions tend to be virtual charter schools or online program providers that assign credentialed substitutes to cover live video-based instruction.
How can I get hired as a substitute teacher in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to a large unified school district as a day-to-day substitute, since districts like Los Angeles Unified and Sacramento City Unified regularly onboard new permit holders with no prior classroom experience. Completing a student teaching practicum, a paraprofessional or instructional aide role, or a before-and-after school program position at a California district gives you documented experience with students and makes your application stronger. Holding a valid CTC substitute permit and a bilingual endorsement, even without classroom history, meaningfully improves your chances in high-need California districts.
Where can I find and apply to substitute teacher jobs in California?
You can find and apply to substitute teacher jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from California districts and staffing agencies in one place. Search the roles that match your credential level, preferred region, and grade range, then apply directly to the ones that fit your situation.
See All 160+ Substitute Teacher Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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