How to Become a Teacher in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the largest school district in California and the second-largest school district in the country.1 To become a teacher in the LAUSD, candidates must be certified to teach in California by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Continue reading to learn more about becoming a teacher in Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
- LAUSD Steps for Becoming a Teacher
- How to Become a Substitute Teacher
- Private and Charter School Requirements
- The Largest LA K-12 Schools
- LA Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
- Additional Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
LAUSD Steps for Becoming a Teacher
To become a teacher in Los Angeles, candidates must first complete a bachelor’s degree program and a state-approved teacher preparation program, usually as part of the bachelor’s degree. You will also need to fulfill the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). You can learn more about California teaching requirements on our California teacher certification page.
Prospective teachers with a bachelor’s degree but without teacher preparation must complete an approved preparation program before becoming certified. Keep in mind they may be able to teach while working towards this requirement. The LAUSD also offers an intern program to help you fulfill the alternative educator requirements while teaching. To learn about other alternative routes to teacher certification in California, see our guide to California alternative teacher certification. To apply for a position within the district, gather your documents and follow this process:
Step 1: Complete the online application.
Complete an online application and provide documentation of passing the BSR, official transcripts, and contact information for professional references including current or most recent school-based or child-centered employment. Human Resources may contact applicants with requests for outstanding details. Applicants deemed eligible will be kept on the eligibility list for one calendar year.
Step 2: Apply for open positions and be interviewed.
Eligible candidates can search and apply for open positions on the LAUSD website. If you are selected for an interview, you may be asked to prepare a sample lesson and/or bring a portfolio to this interview with school leaders, so be prepared to prove yourself as a qualified teacher.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
Candidates who have interviewed for open positions and receive job offers will then complete the school hiring process with the help of a district Talent Acquisition Specialist, who will help you complete a fingerprint background check and health clearances before you sign an employment contract.
Contact Information
Los Angeles Unified School District
333 S Beaudry Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 241-1000
https://www.lausd.org/domain/4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laschools
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laschools/
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/laschools
Teacher Certification Programs in Los Angeles
The colleges and universities listed below offer CTC-approved teacher preparation programs in the Los Angeles area that can qualify you for teacher certification or, if you already hold certification, additional endorsements. You can read more about schools in the state on our California education schools page.
- Azusa Pacific University
- Biola University
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- California State University-Dominguez Hills
- California State University-Long Beach
- California State University-Los Angeles
- California State University-Northridge
- California State University-CalState Teach
- Claremont Graduate University
- Hebrew Union College
- Los Angeles Pacific University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles
- Pacific Oaks College
- Pepperdine University
- The Master’s University
- University of California-Los Angeles
- University of La Verne
- University of Southern California
- Whittier College
How to Become a Substitute Teacher With the LAUSD
To become a substitute teacher with the LAUSD for short-term assignments, you must have a bachelor’s degree, meet the BSR, and provide professional references for the past three years. You must also be interviewed and complete a fingerprint and health clearance. Long-term substitute teaching positions are only open to candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for full-time certification and complete the eligibility process for substitute teachers.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in Los Angeles
To teach in charter schools in Los Angeles, candidates must meet similar requirements to those who wish to teach in the LAUSD, including a CTC-issued teaching credential. Private schools are not required by law to hire credentialed teachers, but many private schools prefer candidates with California certification. Since hiring requirements vary, be sure to check with individual schools.
The Largest K-12 Schools in Los Angeles
We compiled the table below to help you compare the largest public, charter, and private schools in Los Angeles.2
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Avenue Elementary School | Public | K-5 | 1,105 | 23:1 |
| Seventy-Fifth Street Elementary School | Public | K-6 | 1,080 | 23:1 |
| Ninety-Third Street Elementary School | Public | K-6 | 1,065 | 24:1 |
| Gaspar De Portola Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,847 | 27:1 |
| John Burroughs Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,790 | 28:1 |
| James Madison Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,760 | 25:1 |
| John H. Francis Polytechnic | Public | 9-12 | 2,766 | 22:1 |
| Van Nuys Senior High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,712 | 23:1 |
| Alexander Hamilton High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,637 | 23:1 |
| Granada Hills Charter High School | Charter | 9-12 | 4,650 | 19:1 |
| El Camino Real Charter High School | Charter | 9-12 | 3,567 | 28:1 |
| Cleveland Charter High School | Charter | 9-12 | 3,158 | 27:1 |
| Chaminade College Preparatory | Private | 6-12 | 1,963 | 15:1 |
| Harvard-Westlake School | Private | 7-12 | 1,598 | 8:1 |
| Loyola High School | Private | 9-12 | 1,247 | 14:1 |
Los Angeles Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2024-2025 school year, first-year teachers started at a minimum annual salary of $68,965, but those with advanced credentials or qualifications may receive higher salaries.1 Teachers also receive higher salaries commensurate with experience, with periodic step increases for their employment with the LAUSD.1
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in Los Angeles 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 | # Employed3 | Median Annual Salary3 | 90th Percentile Annual Salary3 | Proj. Job Growth 2020-304 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 1,480 | $107,020 | $127,600 | 7% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 43,190 | $95,880 | $125,850 | 6.7% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 6,580 | $83,630 | $124,640 | 8.1% |
| Middle School Teachers | 18,040 | $92,620 | $123,930 | 6.8% |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 2,160 | $80,650 | $125,410 | 6.8% |
| Secondary School Teachers | 32,050 | $99,820 | $170,190 | 7.2% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 730 | $98,860 | $128,530 | 6.7% |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 4,520 | $100,530 | $166,960 | 7.1% |
Los Angeles Teacher Shortage Areas
The US Department of Education ties certain student loan forgiveness programs to teacher shortage areas. If you teach a subject officially designated as a shortage area, your eligibility for loan forgiveness may be higher. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on endorsements in these areas. Note that shortage areas may change yearly, 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 California certification guide.
Additional Resources
- LAUSD Board of Education: The school board for the Los Angeles public school system.
- United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA): Union representing school teachers and other eligible employees across the Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles Teaching Jobs Boards
To find a teaching job in Los Angeles, look for openings in public, private, and charter schools. Many private and charter schools post on online job boards. You can also check out our jobs board to search for teaching jobs in Los Angeles.
- California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
- National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS)
- Los Angeles Catholic Schools
- Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in Los Angeles?
Answer: To work as a substitute teacher in Los Angeles, you must apply through the district’s human resources department. To qualify, you will need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, to complete an interview, to provide strong references from the last three years, to meet the BSR, and to pass a fingerprint and health clearance.
Question: How do I find substitute teacher jobs in Los Angeles?
Answer: The LAUSD especially needs substitute teachers in the Central and South areas of its district, but is accepting applications from all areas. You can find out more through the district’s substitute hiring portal.
References:
1. Los Angeles Unified School District: https://www.lausd.org/domain/4
2. Niche, Largest Schools in Los Angeles: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/t/los-angeles-los-angeles-ca/
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Metropolitan Division: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_31080.htm
4. State of California Employment Development Department, Employment Projections: https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/employment-projections.html
5. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas, California, 2020-2021: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports