Hawaii · Career guide

How to become a Elementary Teacher in Hawaii

Elementary teachers (typically K-5 or K-6 depending on the state) deliver self-contained instruction across all core subjects. Hiring competition varies — popular metro districts can have dozens of applicants per opening, while rural and high-poverty districts often run staffing fairs to recruit. Bilingual / dual-language certification can dramatically expand opportunity.

No elementary teaching positions are open in Hawaii right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.

Certification path in Hawaii

  1. Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
  2. Pass the required exams. Hawaii typically requires:
    • Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
    • Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your licensure area
    • edTPA — Performance assessment during student teaching

    Most states issue a generic elementary license (K-6 or K-8). Adding a content endorsement (e.g. middle-grades math) expands grade-level placement options.

  3. Apply for your initial license through Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) →
  4. Job-search in Hawaii. We'll track elementary teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.

Alternative pathways in Hawaii

If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Hawaii offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:

  • Hawaii Teacher Fellows Program: Accelerated pathway for career changers
  • Teach For America (active in Honolulu and rural islands)
  • Emergency Hire status for shortage areas
  • Career and Technical Education permits for industry professionals

Hawaii salary context

Average teacher salary in Hawaii: $62,250/year (rank #23 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $51,270/year.

Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Hawaii salary guide for the breakdown.

Full Hawaii certification guideAll license tiers, alt routes, and reciprocity from other states.Hawaii salary guidePay schedule, COL context, top-paying districts.Hawaii teacher shortageWhich subjects are in shortage status — and the loan-forgiveness eligibility.