How to Become a Teacher in Chicago
If you want to work in an urban school environment, Chicago is a great place to look for teaching opportunities. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the country and includes over 500 public elementary and secondary schools and over 100 charter schools.1 You will need an educator license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to apply for public school teaching jobs in Chicago. Read on for more information.
Table of Contents
- CPS Steps for Becoming a Teacher
- How to Become a Substitute Teacher
- Private and Charter School Requirements
- The Largest Chicago K-12 Schools
- Chicago Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
- Additional Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago Public School Steps for Becoming a Teacher
To become a teacher in Chicago through the traditional route, you must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a teacher preparation program, and pass several tests demonstrating your literacy skills, subject area knowledge, and teaching proficiency. Further detailed information can be found on our Illinois teacher certification page.
It is also possible to earn your license through an approved alternative program. This option is available if you have a bachelor’s degree in a content area but have not completed teacher preparation. Many alternative programs require you to complete coursework and pass content assessments before beginning a student teaching placement. Refer to our Illinois alternative teacher certification page for more information.
Teacher hiring for all public and many charter and magnet schools in Chicago is centralized through CPS. The CPS Teach Chicago initiative provides a wealth of further resources for applicants, including recruiters to help candidates through the process.
Step 1: Complete a job page / teacher profile.
Before you can apply for Chicago teaching jobs, you need to create an account on the CPS Careers website. To complete a job page/teacher profile, you will upload your resume and set up your preferences and job alerts.
Step 2: Search for open positions.
Once you have created your teacher profile, you can search and apply for open jobs. Schools hire teachers directly in Chicago, so you will need to apply to each job individually.
Step 3: Attend an interview with a school leader or panel.
A school may contact you for an interview if your application is a good match for an open position. Interviews for teaching positions typically focus on your teaching experience, subject area knowledge, and preferred teaching methods to determine whether you are a good fit for the institution. Many schools will require you to present a sample lesson and lesson plan as part of the interview process so that they can get a sense of your teaching style.
Step 4: Complete the hiring process.
If you are offered a position, it will likely be contingent on passing a background check. Then, you will connect with the human resources department to complete tax paperwork, set up an official school email address and payroll deposit, and complete any other necessary administrative requirements before your first day. CPS teachers must be residents of the City of Chicago within six months of hire.
Contact Information
Chicago Public Schools
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagopublicschools
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipubschools/
X (formerly known as Twitter): https://x.com/ChiPubSchools
42 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60602
(773) 553-1000
https://cps.edu//Pages/home.aspx
Teacher Certification Programs in Chicago
To help you find state-approved teacher preparation programs, we have compiled the following list of approved programs in Chicago. These programs can prepare you for first-time certification or for additional endorsements. You can also read more about teaching programs statewide on our Illinois education schools page.
- Chicago State University
- Concordia University-Chicago
- DePaul University
- Erikson Institute
- Hebrew Theological College
- Loyola University Chicago
- National Louis University
- New Leaders
- North Park University Chicago
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Roosevelt University
- Saint Augustine College
- Saint Xavier University
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Vandercook College of Music
How to Become a Substitute Teacher With CPS
To work as a substitute teacher in Chicago, you will need an Illinois Substitute Teacher License. To be eligible for this license, you must have a bachelor’s degree. You can apply online on the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). The license is valid for five years and is renewable.
CPS hires two types of substitutes: day-to-day subs, who fill in on an as-needed/as-available basis, and full-time subs, known as CPS Core Cadres. CPS Core Cadre substitute teachers are typically full-time (at least three days per week) in the same school, and may receive long-term monthly assignments. You can read more about these opportunities on the CPS website.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in Chicago
Private and charter schools in Chicago set their own hiring requirements and qualifications; however, many schools prefer to hire teachers with state licensure to ensure they are knowledgeable and well-prepared for classroom leadership. A bachelor’s degree in a related content area is usually the minimum requirement for these jobs. Contact private and charter schools directly to learn about job opportunities and hiring procedures. Private schools and charter schools often require families to apply for spaces and may have additional admission requirements based on the school specialty or reputation.
The Largest K-12 Schools in Chicago
The following table is designed to help you compare public, private, and charter schools in the City of Chicago that may be hiring teachers.2
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Elementary School | Public | K-8 | 1,552 | 23:1 |
| Richard Edwards IB Fine and Performing Arts Dual Language School | Public | PK-8 | 1,550 | 21:1 |
| Hanson Park Elementary School | Public | PK-8 | 1,483 | 18:1 |
| Robert Healy Elementary School | Public | PK-8 | 1,420 | 19:1 |
| G. Armstrong International Studies Elementary School | Public | PK-8 | 1,419 | 19:1 |
| Mary Lyon School | Public | K-8 | 1,411 | 20:1 |
| Curie Metropolitan High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,918 | 19:1 |
| Kenwood Academy High School | Public | 7-12 | 1,756 | 19:1 |
| Schurz High School | Public | 9-12 | 1,751 | 17:1 |
| Chicago International Charter School | Charter | K-12 | 8,556 | 50:1 |
| Youth Connection Charter School | Charter | 9-12 | 3,959 | 26:1 |
| University of Chicago Charter Schools | Charter | K-12 | 1,817 | 28:1 |
| University of Chicago Laboratory Schools | Private | PK-12 | 2,051 | 8:1 |
| Marist High School | Private | 9-12 | 1,750 | 16:1 |
| St. Ignatius College Prep | Private | 9-12 | 1,404 | 16:1 |
Chicago Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
Public school teachers in Chicago are members of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), which publishes pay scales on a regular basis. For the 2023-2024 school year, first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree were paid $74,923 in salary, with $80,167 in total compensation (which includes pension contributions).3 Teachers with master’s degrees or advanced qualifications may receive higher salaries. Teachers also receive higher salaries commensurate with experience, with periodic step increases for their employment.
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in Chicago by the total number employed, median salary, 90th percentile annual salary, and 10-year job growth projections. Note SPED is an abbreviation for special education.
| Teacher type | # Employed4 | Median Annual Salary4 | 90th Percentile Annual Salary4 | Proj. Job Growth 2022-325 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 2,880 | $66,030 | $104,000 | 2.6% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 45,760 | $68,280 | $101,500 | 2.6% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 10,250 | $76,840 | $103,910 | 1.8% |
| Middle School Teachers | 15,600 | $77,190 | $107,340 | 2.7% |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 2,640 | $73,740 | $105,260 | 1.8%/td> |
| Secondary School Teachers | 35,760 | $80,560 | $131,310 | 3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 860 | $79,390 | $134,990 | 1.7% |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 7,090 | $80,710 | $127,410 | 2.2% |
Chicago Teacher Shortage Areas
The US Department of Education bases some student loan forgiveness programs on teacher shortage areas, meaning that your chances of qualifying for loan forgiveness may be stronger if you teach a subject formally identified as a shortage area. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on endorsements in those areas. Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. You can find a list of teacher shortage areas in the state on our Illinois certification guide.
Additional Resources
- Chicago Center for Teaching (CCTL): Provides programs and services such as one-on-one consultations, to workshops and reading groups, to year-long pedagogical communities organized around particular issues.
- Chicago Teachers Union (CTU): Organization for educators to protect and improve the public school system.
- Illinois Arts Learning Standards Toolkit: Designed to support CPS teachers, administrators, and others with tools and resources to improve arts education across the district.
- Teach for America (TFA) Chicago-Northwest Indiana: A non-traditional pathway to work as a teacher in the Chicago area.
- Teachers for Social Justice (TSJ) Chicago: Organization for teachers and administrators aiming to promote social justice in the classroom.
Chicago Teaching Jobs Boards
You can browse teaching jobs in both public and private schools in Chicago on various online job banks before you obtain teaching certification. Take a look at these links to learn more, and see our jobs board to search for even more teaching jobs in Chicago.
- Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Jobs
- CPS Careers
- Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools (LMAIS)
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the requirements for substitute teachers in Chicago?
Answer: In order to substitute teach in Chicago public schools, you must have a valid Illinois Substitute License. Requirements for private schools may vary. For more information, you can visit the CPS substitute employment portal.
Question: How do I get hired as a charter school teacher in Chicago?
Answer: Many, though not all, charter schools in Chicago are part of CPS system, which differs from many other areas where charter schools are a separate school district. The hiring process and requirements will therefore vary. Check with individual charter schools for further details.
References:
1. Chicago Public Schools: Stats and Facts: https://www.cps.edu/about/stats-facts/
2. Niche, Largest Schools in Chicago: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/m/chicago-metro-area/
3. Chicago Teachers’ Union Salary Schedule for Full-Time Appointed Teachers: https://contract.ctulocal1.org/cps/a
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_16980.htm
5. State of Illinois Occupational Employment Projections (Long-term): https://ides.illinois.gov/resources/labor-market-information/employment-projections.html