Teaching is a rewarding career for many people. For those who want to make an impact on the lives of young students and teach them valuable skills, it’s an opportunity to be rewarded with higher pay.
Teachers with a Master’s degree in California make an average of $63,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the average salary for teachers who hold only a Bachelor’s degree ($54,000), and it’s a significant increase over the average starting salary for teachers who have just completed their undergraduate degree ($39,000).
The difference in salary is even greater if you’re a special education teacher. Special education teachers with Masters degrees can earn an average of $75,000 per year.
Annual Base Salary of Elementary and Secondary Teachers by Education and Experience, 2017-18
| 0-2 YEARS | 3-5 YEARS | 6-10 YEARS | 11-20 YEARS | 20+ YEARS | AVERAGE, ALL LEVELS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Teachers with a Bachelor’s | $54,810 | $60,060 | $66,060 | $77,520 | $83,560 | $72,230 |
| National Average of Teachers with a Bachelor’s | $42,440 | $44,490 | $46,990 | $54,380 | $60,770 | $49,890 |
| CA Teachers with a Master’s | $61,740 | $71,030 | $83,340 | $91,090 | $81,320 | |
| National Average of Teachers with a Master’s | $51,050 | $56,140 | $65,700 | $73,430 | $63,120 |
How to Become a Teacher in California
Requirements for becoming a teacher vary by state, and state licenses do not transfer to other states. Students can explore several pathways to teaching in California, with conditions set by the CTC. The Golden State maintains stricter teaching requirements than many others.
All public school teachers in California need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school and must complete a CTC-approved teacher preparation program. Those who earn a teaching or education degree usually meet this requirement while in school and become teachers in four years. Prospective teachers who did not complete a teacher preparation program as part of their bachelor’s program can earn licensure through alternative certification.
California also requires teachers to earn a subject- or grade-specific credential. Elementary school teachers must earn the multiple subject testing credential and middle and high school teachers complete the single subject teaching credential. Special education teachers earn the educational specialist instructional credential. Each credential requires applicants to pass a relevant test
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Steps to Becoming a California Teacher
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to teach elementary school, secondary school, or special education. Preschool teachers need an associate degree in childhood development or early childhood education and must also complete a field experience.
- Complete a CTC-approved teacher preparation program including requirements for the grade or subject you want to teach (usually included in a teaching bachelor’s program). This includes 600 hours of student teaching.
- Apply for the credential for the grade or subject you want to teach after passing the appropriate subject area test.
- Preschool: Apply for the child development teacher permit.
- Elementary: Apply for the multiple subject teaching credential.
- Secondary: Apply for the single subject teaching credential.
- Special Education: Apply for the education specialist instruction credential.
- Take the California Basic Educational Skills Test and the California Subject Examinations for Teachers.
- Complete a fingerprint application and pass a criminal background check.
Education Requirements for California Teachers
Education and training requirements vary depending on what grade level or subject you plan to teach. Teaching preschool requires an associate degree in childhood development or early childhood education. California educators teaching elementary, secondary, and special education must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. The bachelor’s need not be in education. Those who plan to earn a single subject teaching credential to teach secondary school often pursue their bachelor’s degree in the subject they plan to teach.
Prospective educators in California must also complete a CTC-approved teacher preparation program. Earning a bachelor’s in education from a regionally accredited school fulfills this requirement. Those with a bachelor’s in another field may complete the teacher preparation program separately through alternative licensure. Do you need a master’s to teach in California? No, but earning a master’s degree or doctorate in education can open doors to greater career opportunities and higher salaries.
Teaching program length varies by degree level. Typically students spend two years to complete an associate degree, four for a bachelor’s degree, and two for a master’s degree. A Ph.D. takes 3-5 years.
Teacher Certification and Licensure in California
The CTC sets the requirements for how to get a teaching license in California. Certification qualifications for teachers vary by grade level and subject. Elementary school teachers need a multiple subject teaching credential, while middle and high school teachers must earn a single subject teaching credential. Teaching special education in California requires an education specialist instruction credential.
Teachers can pursue their California teaching credential through many routes, including a university, school district internship program, university internship program, or with experience from teaching at a private school. Applicants must complete education and teacher preparation program requirements and pass the appropriate exam. Everyone applying for a preliminary teaching certification must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test.
Once an applicant meets all criteria for licensure, they submit college transcripts, proof of completion of an approved teacher preparation program, test scores from all required exams, and their fingerprints/background check.
California teachers renew their licenses every five years. A California teaching license does not seamlessly transfer to other states. However, California participates in an interstate agreement maintained by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, which offers reciprocity in recognizing teaching credentials between states. This allows teachers to apply for a license in another state more easily.
