Hawaii · Career guide
How to become a ESL Teacher in Hawaii
ESL / Bilingual / Multilingual teachers serve English learners across grade bands. The role spans co-teaching push-in models, dedicated pull-out instruction, and sheltered content classes. Demand is acute in border states, large metros, and any district with a refugee resettlement population — California, Texas, Arizona, New York, and Massachusetts consistently lead the country in ESL hiring.
No ESL / multilingual 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
- 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.
- 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 distinct ESL / ELL / TESOL endorsement that can be added to any base license. Some states require additional bilingual coursework for dual-language settings.
- 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) →
- Job-search in Hawaii. We'll track ESL / multilingual 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.