Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
SOC code 25-3031 · O*NET-SOC 25-3031.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Education and library
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$41,670
a year
Hourly
$20.03
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$46,420
$22.32 per hour
Middle 50%
$34,170 – $54,890
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$28,560 – $65,790
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
524,770
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $28,560
- $13.73/hr
- 25th percentile
- $34,170
- $16.43/hr
- Median percentile
- $41,670
- $20.03/hr
- 75th percentile
- $54,890
- $26.39/hr
- 90th percentile
- $65,790
- $31.63/hr
What do substitute teachers, short-term do?
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.
- Answer students' questions.
- Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
- Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
- Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.
- Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities.
- Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 40% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree40%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree35%
- Some College Courses10%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)10%
Common questions
How much does a substitute teachers, short-term earn?
The national median is $41,670 a year. The full range runs from $28,560 at the 10th percentile to $65,790 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a substitute teachers, short-term without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.4/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Learning Strategies3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.1/5
- Education and Training3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.0/5
- Computers and Electronics2.9/5
- Mathematics2.8/5
- Psychology2.8/5
- Communications and Media2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Time Management.