How much does a substitute teacher make?
a year · about $20 an hour
A typical substitute teacher in the United States makes $41,670 a year, about $20 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A substitute checks the teacher’s lesson plan, takes attendance, and hands out work. They answer questions, keep the class on track, and may supervise students at lunch or recess.
Did you know? In Wisconsin, a short-term substitute permit can be valid for three years, but it lets you cover one specific assignment for no more than 45 days.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $28,560 and $65,790How do you become one?
In the U.S., requirements vary by state: Illinois requires an associate degree or 60 college credits for its short-term license. One Wisconsin permit path requires an associate degree, approved training, a state application, and any required fingerprints.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ by state and school district. Some districts set different rates for a full teaching credential than for a substitute permit, and pay can change for longer assignments. Hours or days worked also affect total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($66,920), lowest in Mississippi ($22,340).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28,560 | $41,670 | $65,790 | about 525,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 | about 1,000 |
| California | $60,300 | about 116,000 |
| Hawaii | $58,530 | about 4,000 |
| Oregon | $58,280 | about 8,000 |
| Washington | $55,740 | about 15,000 |
Official definition: Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher’s lesson plan. Excludes long-term substitute teachers who perform all the duties of a regular teacher; these teachers are coded within the 25-1000 or 25-2000 minor groups.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes253031.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-3031.00
- dpi.wi.gov/licensing/apply-educator-license/substitute/faq
- dpi.wi.gov/licensing/apply-educator-license/sub-permit/degree-training
- www.isbe.net/Pages/Short-Term-Sub-Teach.aspx
- cdnsm5-ss18.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_117089/File/Departments/Per
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY