Substitute Teacher Jobs in Chicago, IL
Substitute teachers in Chicago Public Schools earn $125 to $193 a day depending on which Illinois license they hold, and staffing firm Swing Education advertises $175 to $240 a day at its Chicago partner schools. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get licensed.
Current substitute teacher Openings in Chicago, IL
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Substitute Teacher Work in Chicago
Chicago Public Schools fills absences across more than 600 schools from Rogers Park to Pullman, and it recruits subs directly through Teach Chicago, including at in-person job fairs at its 145 S. Campbell Ave. office on the Near West Side. The charter networks book their own subs or go through Swing Education, which names Noble, Erie Elementary Charter School and Distinctive Schools among its Chicago partners. Distinctive Schools also keeps an on-call substitute pool for its six CICS campuses, from Bucktown and West Belden to Irving Park.
Pay is the main thing that separates the options. CPS pays by license, the suburbs set their own daily rates, and Evanston/Skokie District 65 just north of the city pays guest educators $150 to $200 a day. Long-term assignments covering a leave or a vacancy carry more responsibility and can turn into a full-time offer.
Top Chicago Employers Hiring Substitute Teachers
These employers are recruiting substitutes on their own sites for the 2026-27 school year:
- Chicago Public Schools - hires daily subs at $125, $143 or $193 a day depending on license.
- Swing Education - a sub staffing platform placing teachers at Chicago charter schools for $175 to $240 a day.
- Distinctive Schools - runs the CICS campuses and posts an on-call substitute role at $20 an hour, up to 29 hours a week.
- Evanston/Skokie School District 65 - the suburban district pays daily and long-term guest educators $150 to $200 a day.
- Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools - 311 Catholic schools in Cook and Lake counties that hire substitute teachers.
Substitute Teacher Salaries in Chicago
- Entry level: about $125 to $145 a day, the CPS rate for subs with a Short-Term Substitute or Substitute License.
- Experienced: roughly $150 to $200 a day at suburban districts, or $193 a day at CPS with a Professional Educator License.
- Senior: $200 to $240 a day or more for licensed teachers, long-term assignments and high-need bookings.
These are estimates from employers' own posted rates, cross-checked against BLS May 2025 data that puts the Chicago metro median at $20.90 an hour. The license you hold moves pay the most, followed by assignment length. Swing Education adds up to 50% for high-need or last-minute requests.
How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Chicago
Illinois licenses substitutes through the Illinois State Board of Education. The Substitute Teaching License requires a bachelor's degree and lets you cover up to 90 consecutive days for one teacher. The Short-Term Substitute License requires an associate's degree or 60 semester hours plus a training program run by the hiring district, and it caps you at five consecutive days per teacher. Teachers who already hold a Professional Educator License can sub without either. Expect a fingerprint background check. If you need the 60 hours, City Colleges of Chicago offers transfer associate degrees in Elementary Education at Harold Washington, Truman and Daley and in Special Education at all seven campuses.
What the Job Involves
Substitutes follow the absent teacher's lesson plan, take attendance, keep the class on task and safe, and leave notes on what was covered and how students did. Long-term subs plan lessons, grade work and talk with families like the regular teacher.
Skills Employers Look For
- An Illinois Substitute, Short-Term Substitute or Professional Educator License
- Calm classroom management with unfamiliar students
- Flexibility to take assignments on short notice
- Comfort with Google Classroom and other digital tools
- Clear written notes for the returning teacher
- Spanish for bilingual classrooms
Career Path and Advancement
Subbing is one of the quickest ways into a Chicago school building. Reliable daily subs get requested back by the same principals, move into long-term assignments and are first in line when a position opens. Many go on to the CPS Teacher Residency, which pays $40,000 during the training year and leads to a Professional Educator License, and from there to a full-time classroom.
Related Careers in Chicago
If substitute teaching interests you, these related Chicago roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do substitute teachers make in Chicago?
Chicago Public Schools pays $125 a day with a Short-Term Substitute License, $143 with a Substitute License and $193 with a Professional Educator License. Swing Education advertises $175 to $240 a day at its Chicago partner schools.
Do you need a degree to substitute teach in Illinois?
You need at least an associate's degree or 60 semester hours of college for the Short-Term Substitute License. The full Substitute Teaching License requires a bachelor's degree.
How many days in a row can a sub cover one class?
A Short-Term Substitute License holder can cover the same teacher for up to five consecutive days. A Substitute License allows up to 90 consecutive days, and a Professional Educator License allows up to 120.
How do I apply to sub for CPS?
Apply through the CPS careers portal or contact the CPS substitute recruitment team at iwanttosub@cps.edu. CPS also holds in-person job fairs for substitutes and paraprofessionals.
Can substitute teaching lead to a full-time job?
Yes. Long-term subs often step into the vacancy they were covering, and principals tend to hire people they have already seen in their building. Subbing also counts as useful classroom experience for residency and preparation programs.
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