How to Become a Teacher in San Diego
The largest public school district in the San Diego area is the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), which educates over 121,000 students, making it the second-largest school district in California.1 To teach in a public school district, you must have a teaching certificate from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), which involves completing a bachelor’s degree and a teacher preparation program. Charter schools also require applicants to have a teaching certificate, although private schools set their own requirements. See the private and charter school section for more details, and continue reading to learn more about teaching careers in San Diego.
San Diego Teacher Certification Requirements
To become a teacher in San Diego, individuals must complete a bachelor’s degree program and an approved teacher preparation program, fulfill the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR), and complete a fingerprint check. Students currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program may be eligible to complete a paying internship and earn classroom experience. To learn more about certification requirements, please visit our California teacher certification page.
Aspiring teachers who possess a bachelor’s degree but have not completed teacher preparation can earn certification through an alternate route by enrolling in a teacher preparation program and simultaneously working as a district intern. This can help you save time meeting the certification requirements while gaining experience. See our guide to California alternative teacher certification to learn more.
Teacher Certification Programs in San Diego
The following San Diego-area colleges and universities offer teacher certification programs that can prepare you for first-time licensure or additional endorsements, if you are already licensed. You can read more about teacher preparation programs in the state on our California education schools page.
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- San Diego State University
- University of San Diego
San Diego School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher
To become a teacher in San Diego, you will need to be certified through the CTC. There are many ways of completing the requirements for certification, including earning a bachelor’s degree in education or an alternative educator program. See the certification section for more information. To apply for a position in the district, follow these steps and check job postings frequently as positions are available throughout the year.
Step 1: Complete your application.
First, you should create an account on the school district’s website and complete the online application, including information on your educational background, criminal history (if applicable), and work experience. You will also be required to upload a resume and may be required to answer written questions or provide references.
Step 2: Be interviewed by a school leader or panel.
If the school selects your application, you may be asked to attend an interview. The interview process may include a written evaluation or test and/or a teaching presentation to demonstrate teaching skills.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
Successful applicants will be extended an offer of employment with the school. Offers of employment are contingent on successful verification of your credentials, reference checks, a drug test, a TB test, and a fingerprint clearance. In some cases, you may also need to complete a physical exam. Details will be provided at the time of hiring.
Contact Information
San Diego Unified School District
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoUnified
Twitter: https://x.com/sdschools
4100 Normal St
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 725-7700
https://www.sandiegounified.org
How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the San Diego School District
You must hold a bachelor’s degree for substitute teacher (also known as “visiting teacher”) positions in the SDUSD. Teacher certification is preferred, but prospective substitute teachers can apply for an emergency 30-day substitute teaching permit in high-needs areas, which requires current enrollment in an accredited four-year institution and satisfying the BSR. The substitute permit, which is valid for one year and must be renewed annually, allows substitutes to teach in any of the 42 schools in San Diego County. However, substitutes with this permit can only teach for a maximum of 30 days in the same classroom. You can view open positions and apply through the district’s website.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in San Diego
California law requires that charter school teachers in San Diego hold a current teaching certificate or its equivalent. Private schools in San Diego have some latitude to set their own separate requirements for prospective teachers. Schools that are not part of the public school system are not required by the state to hire certified teachers but may prefer candidates who hold California teacher certification. Check with individual private schools to learn more about specific hiring practices.
The Largest K-12 Schools in San Diego
To help you compare public, private, and charter schools in San Diego we have compiled the following table that compares the largest schools in the San Diego area.
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosa Parks Elementary School | Public | K-5 | 974 | 25:1 |
| Porter Elementary School | Public | K-6 | 911 | 26:1 |
| Dingeman Elementary School | Public | K-5 | 782 | 27:1 |
| Marshall Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,509 | 25:1 |
| Lewis Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,114 | 24:1 |
| Standley Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,034 | 27:1 |
| Henry High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,397 | 25:1 |
| Mira Mesa High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,322 | 25:1 |
| Scripps Ranch High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,234 | 28:1 |
| The O’Farrell Charter School | Charter | K-12 | 1,782 | 21:1 |
| Charter School of San Diego | Charter | 7-12 | 1,436 | 30:1 |
| Gompers Preparatory Academy | Charter | 6-12 | 1,305 | 19:1 |
| Cathedral Catholic High School | Private | 9-12 | 1,630 | 15:1 |
| Francis Parker School | Private | PK-12 | 1,185 | 10:1 |
| The Bishop’s School | Private | 6-12 | 800 | 8:1 |
See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.
San Diego Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2023-2024 school year, first-year teachers at the SDUSD started at a minimum annual salary of $58,608.92, but teachers with advanced credentials or qualifications may receive higher salaries.1 Teachers also receive higher salaries commensurate with experience, along with stipends for duties considered beyond the scope of their contract.1
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in San Diego by the total number employed, median annual salary, 90th percentile annual salary, and 10-year job growth projections. Note SPED is an abbreviation for special education.
| Teacher type | # Employed2 | Median Annual Salary2 | 90th Percentile Annual Salary2 | Proj. Job Growth 2020-303 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 320 | $66,060 | $108,670 | 8.2% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 13,640 | $94,320 | $120,040 | 8.2% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 2,450 | $96,950 | $117,760 | 9.1% |
| Middle School Teachers | 3,140 | $93,060 | $123,410 | 8.1% |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 310 | $101,110 | $144,850 | N.Av. |
| Secondary School Teachers | 6,100 | $105,100 | $212,730 | 8.7% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 150 | $100,420 | $155,670 | 7% |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 1,440 | $107,740 | $211,220 | 8.5% |
San Diego 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 are teaching a subject that has been formally identified as a shortage area. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on your endorsement(s). Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should be sure to check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. For the 2020-2021 school year, the following subject areas were recognized as shortage areas in California (statewide):4
- Bilingual Education
- Career Technical Education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
San Diego Teaching Jobs Boards
To find teaching job opportunities in the San Diego area, regularly check online job boards for new postings throughout the year. Here are some sites with postings in the area. You can also check out our jobs board to search for teaching jobs in San Diego.
- California Association of Independent Schools
- National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
- San Diego Unified School District
- The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Additional Resources
- California Teachers Association (CTA): Statewide union representing the interests of educators.
- San Diego Education Association (SDEA): Union representing more than 7,000 San Diego-area educators and an affiliate of the California Teachers Association, the AFL-CIO, and the National Education Association.
- San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD): The school district for K-12 public schools in San Diego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the pay rate for a San Diego substitute teacher?
Answer: Substitute teachers, also known as visiting teachers, are paid $250 per day for short-term assignments or $260 per day “Established” day-to-day visiting teachers, those who work 50% or more of the instructional year. Subs on long-term assignments (more than five consecutive days in a single assignment) are paid $275 per day.1
Question: How do you become a kindergarten teacher in San Diego?
Answer: To become a kindergarten teacher in San Diego public or charter schools, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and an approved teacher preparation program in early childhood education and then pass California’s state exams for early childhood educators. You can read about the requirements in detail through the CTC. Private school requirements vary by school.
Table Notes and References:
1. Niche, Largest Schools in San Diego: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/t/san-diego-san-diego-ca/
References:
1. San Diego Unified School District: https://www.sandiegounified.org/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, San Diego-Carlsbad Metropolitan Division: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_41740.htm#25-0000
3. State of California Employment Development Department, Employment Projections 2020-2030: https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/employment-projections.html
4. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas, California, 2020-2021: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports