North Far North Careers

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Education and Human Development

The North Far North region is home to diverse student populations reflecting a wide range of racial and ethnic heritages, socio-economic backgrounds, and physical and intellectual abilities—all of whom need dedicated teachers, mentors, and advocates to help them learn, grow, and reach their full potential. A career in the Education and Human Development sector is a way to make a difference in the life of a child, a family, or an entire community.

Browse Programs

View data from the:

Region
109,342
2024 Jobs
+5%
2024–2029 Projected Change
28.39/hr.
2024 Avg. Entry Level Wage

Top jobs that Require Community College Credentials

How much will I make per hour?

What can I train for? Job openings per year Entry-level Median Experienced
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary 1,576 $18.42 $20.94 $22.90
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 879 $31.08 $45.81 $51.41
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 805 $23.77 $27.77 $31.75 View programs
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 587 $36.13 $47.29 $52.26
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 465 $18.30 $19.94 $22.44
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 411 $24.59 $31.83 $35.82
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 200 $33.85 $45.63 $50.61
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 124 $30.41 $39.68 $49.39
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 79 $34.88 $46.70 $51.67
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare 49 $22.87 $28.23 $38.00 View programs
Special Education Teachers, Middle School 47 $45.97 $51.34 $53.87
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 37 $30.94 $42.98 $51.75 View programs
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors 25 $26.30 $35.86 $48.76
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School 18 $28.94 $36.09 $51.29
Special Education Teachers, Preschool 17 $24.90 $28.44 $34.40

Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary

Job openings per year:

1,576

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $18.42/hr.
  • Median: $20.94/hr.
  • Experienced: $22.90/hr.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Job openings per year:

879

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $31.08/hr.
  • Median: $45.81/hr.
  • Experienced: $51.41/hr.

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Job openings per year:

805

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $23.77/hr.
  • Median: $27.77/hr.
  • Experienced: $31.75/hr.

View programs

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Job openings per year:

587

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $36.13/hr.
  • Median: $47.29/hr.
  • Experienced: $52.26/hr.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Job openings per year:

465

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $18.30/hr.
  • Median: $19.94/hr.
  • Experienced: $22.44/hr.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Job openings per year:

411

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $24.59/hr.
  • Median: $31.83/hr.
  • Experienced: $35.82/hr.

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Job openings per year:

200

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $33.85/hr.
  • Median: $45.63/hr.
  • Experienced: $50.61/hr.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

Job openings per year:

124

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $30.41/hr.
  • Median: $39.68/hr.
  • Experienced: $49.39/hr.

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Job openings per year:

79

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $34.88/hr.
  • Median: $46.70/hr.
  • Experienced: $51.67/hr.

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

Job openings per year:

49

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $22.87/hr.
  • Median: $28.23/hr.
  • Experienced: $38.00/hr.

View programs

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Job openings per year:

47

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $45.97/hr.
  • Median: $51.34/hr.
  • Experienced: $53.87/hr.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

Job openings per year:

37

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $30.94/hr.
  • Median: $42.98/hr.
  • Experienced: $51.75/hr.

View programs

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Job openings per year:

25

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $26.30/hr.
  • Median: $35.86/hr.
  • Experienced: $48.76/hr.

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School

Job openings per year:

18

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $28.94/hr.
  • Median: $36.09/hr.
  • Experienced: $51.29/hr.

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Job openings per year:

17

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $24.90/hr.
  • Median: $28.44/hr.
  • Experienced: $34.40/hr.

Top Employers & Skills

Employers

  • San Juan Unified School District
  • University of California, Davis
  • Sacramento City Unified School District
  • Los Rios Community College District
  • Elk Grove Unified School District
  • KinderCare Education
  • Twin Rivers Unified School District
  • Yuba City Unified School District
  • California State University, Sacramento
  • Merryhill School
  • Marysville Joint Unified School District
  • Gateway Community Charters
  • Washington Unified School District
  • Natomas Unified School District
  • FCUSD - Folsom High School
  • Catalyst Kids
  • PRIDE Industries
  • Folsom Cordova Unified School District
  • Rocklin Unified School District
  • Cadence Education

Specialized skills

  • Special Education
  • Child Development
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Preschool Education
  • Lesson Planning
  • Mental Health
  • Curriculum Development
  • Working With Children
  • Case Management

Technology & software skills

  • Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
  • Spreadsheets
  • Learning Management Systems
  • Zoom (Video Conferencing Tool)
  • Student Information Systems
  • Presentation Software
  • Google Workspace
  • Homeless Management Information System
  • Salesforce
  • Visual Basic (Programming Language)

Employability skills

  • Teaching
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Leadership
  • Writing
  • Planning
  • Problem Solving
  • Research
  • Customer Service
  • Coordinating

Sources: Lightcast 2025.3; QCEW, non-QCEW, Self-Employed. Compiled by the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research. State Economic Blueprint – California Jobs First, February 2025. https://jobsfirst.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Economic-Blueprint.pdf.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

Sample of reported job titles:

Art Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Educator, Elementary Education Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Teacher

Tasks:

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Apply multiple teaching methods.
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
  • Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
  • Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.

Work Context:

  • Contact With Others – 85% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 86% responded “Every day”
  • Electronic Mail – 87% responded “Every day”
  • Work With Work Group or Team – 65% responded “Extremely important”
  • Duration of Typical Work Week – 79% responded “More than 40 hours”
View more information on this job

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher’s lesson plan.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Teach classes in area of specialization.
  • Distribute instructional or library materials.
  • Supervise school or student activities.
  • Advise students on academic or career matters.
  • Assist patrons with entering or exiting vehicles or other forms of transportation.
View more information on this job

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Sample of reported job titles:

Art Teacher, English Teacher, High School Science Teacher, History Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Science Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Spanish Teacher, Teacher

Tasks:

  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Apply multiple teaching methods.
  • Set up classroom materials or equipment.
  • Develop instructional objectives.
  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Maintain student records.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 87% responded “Every day”
  • Contact With Others – 79% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 81% responded “Every day”
  • Public Speaking – 77% responded “Every day”
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work – 50% responded “A lot of freedom”
View more information on this job

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.

Sample of reported job titles:

Child Development Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Group Teacher, Infant Teacher, Montessori Preschool Teacher, Nursery Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), Teacher, Toddler Teacher

Tasks:

  • Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
  • Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
  • Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Teach life skills.
  • Provide for basic needs of children.
  • Set up classroom materials or equipment.
  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.

Work Context:

  • Contact With Others – 89% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled – 83% responded “Every day”
  • Work With Work Group or Team – 60% responded “Extremely important”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 72% responded “Every day”
  • Physical Proximity – 46% responded “Very close (near touching)”
View more information on this job

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

Sample of reported job titles:

Adoption Social Worker, Case Manager, Case Worker, Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker), Family Protection Specialist, Family Resource Coordinator, Family Service Worker, Foster Care Social Worker, School Social Worker, Youth Services Specialist

Tasks:

  • Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
  • Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
  • Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
  • Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
  • Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Maintain client records.
  • Write reports or evaluations.
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
  • Advocate for individual or community needs.
  • Arrange physical or mental health services for clients.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 100% responded “Every day”
  • Contact With Others – 95% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 95% responded “Every day”
  • Telephone – 95% responded “Every day”
  • Work With Work Group or Team – 77% responded “Extremely important”
View more information on this job

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

Sample of reported job titles:

English Teacher, Language Arts Teacher, Mathematics Teacher (Math Teacher), Middle School Teacher, Music Teacher, Physical Education Teacher (PE Teacher), Reading Teacher, Science Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

Tasks:

  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Encourage students.
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
  • Develop instructional objectives.
  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Evaluate student work.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 99% responded “Every day”
  • Contact With Others – 89% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 90% responded “Every day”
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled – 88% responded “Every day”
  • Duration of Typical Work Week – 81% responded “More than 40 hours”
View more information on this job

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Sample of reported job titles:

Career and Transition Teacher, High School Special Education Teacher, Interrelated Special Education Teacher, Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD Special Education Teacher), Learning Support Teacher, Resource Teacher, Special Day Class Teacher (SDC Teacher), Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Teacher

Tasks:

  • Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
  • Observe and evaluate students’ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
  • Evaluate student work.
  • Monitor student performance.
  • Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
  • Teach life skills.
View more information on this job

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.

Sample of reported job titles:

Childcare Director, Early Head Start Director, Education Coordinator, Education Director, Education Site Manager, Preschool Director, Preschool Program Director, Principal, Site Coordinator

Tasks:

  • Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students’ behavioral or learning problems.
  • Monitor students’ progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services.
  • Teach classes or courses or provide direct care to children.
  • Set educational standards and goals and help establish policies, procedures, and programs to carry them out.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Advise others on career or personal development.
  • Monitor performance of organizational members or partners.
  • Conduct employee training programs.
  • Evaluate employee performance.
  • Recruit personnel.

Work Context:

  • Contact With Others – 98% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Telephone – 90% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 94% responded “Every day”
  • Electronic Mail – 91% responded “Every day”
  • Responsibility for Outcomes and Results – 65% responded “Very high responsibility”
View more information on this job

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.

Sample of reported job titles:

Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Educator, Instructor, Kinder Teacher, Kindergarten Classroom Teacher, Teacher, Title One Kindergarten Teacher, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

Tasks:

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
  • Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
  • Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
  • Demonstrate activities to children.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Encourage students.
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
  • Teach life skills.
  • Apply multiple teaching methods.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 93% responded “Every day”
  • Contact With Others – 83% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 72% responded “Every day”
  • Work With Work Group or Team – 76% responded “Extremely important”
  • Physical Proximity – 66% responded “Very close (near touching)”
View more information on this job

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.

Sample of reported job titles:

Adult Basic Education Instructor (ABE Instructor), Adult Basic Education Teacher (ABE Teacher), Adult Education Instructor, Adult Education Teacher, ESL Instructor (English as a Second Language Instructor), ESL Teacher (English as a Second Language Teacher), ESOL Teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher), GED Instructor (General Educational Development Instructor), GED Teacher (General Educational Development Teacher), Teacher

Tasks:

  • Observe and evaluate students’ work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
  • Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs, abilities, and interests.
  • Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Evaluate student work.
  • Monitor student performance.
  • Assess educational needs of students.
  • Develop instructional objectives.
  • Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 73% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 65% responded “Every day”
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work – 46% responded “A lot of freedom”
  • Coordinate or Lead Others – 50% responded “Extremely important”
  • Contact With Others – 59% responded “Constant contact with others”
View more information on this job

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Sample of reported job titles:

Agricultural Education Teacher, Allied Health Teacher, Business Education Teacher, Cosmetology Teacher, Drafting Instructor, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher (FACS Teacher), Instructor, Teacher, Technology Education Teacher, Vocational Teacher

Tasks:

  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Observe and evaluate students’ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Apply multiple teaching methods.
  • Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
  • Evaluate student work.
  • Develop instructional objectives.
  • Monitor student performance.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 93% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 92% responded “Every day”
  • Public Speaking – 86% responded “Every day”
  • Contact With Others – 75% responded “Constant contact with others”
  • Coordinate or Lead Others – 54% responded “Extremely important”
View more information on this job

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Sample of reported job titles:

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (ECSE Teacher), Early Intervention Teacher, Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher), Handicapped Teacher, Preschool Special Education Teacher, Resource Teacher, Severe/Profound Mental Handicaps Special Education Teacher, Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Teacher

Tasks:

  • Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
  • Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
  • Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students’ educational, physical, or social development.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
  • Teach life skills.
  • Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
  • Encourage students.
  • Monitor student performance.
View more information on this job

The North region encompasses seven counties (El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba).

The Far North region encompasses 15 counties (Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity).

Specialized skills are specific to the occupation, or group of occupations, and represent job-specific competencies.

Technical skills refer to the specific software and technology regularly encountered on the job.

Employability skills (sometimes referred to as “common skills”) are foundational skills that cross occupations and industries. Many common skills, like, communication and team work, are also considered soft skills.