Substitute teachers earn $80-$200 per day, making it a flexible job that rarely provides full-time income or benefits.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for substitute teachers, short-term, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $28,560 | $13.73 |
| 25th | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| 50th (median) | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| 75th | $54,890 | $26.39 |
| 90th | $65,790 | $31.63 |
| Average (mean) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Substitute Teacher Pay in 2026
| Sub Type | Daily Rate | Annual (Full Schedule) |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term sub (uncertified) | $90-$120 | $15,000-$20,000 |
| Short-term sub (certified) | $110-$150 | $18,000-$26,000 |
| Long-term sub | $150-$200 | $25,000-$35,000 |
| Permanent sub (building) | $160-$200 | $27,000-$35,000 |
Note: Most subs don’t work every available day.
Substitute Teacher Pay by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $73,070 | $38,250 | $66,920 |
| 2 | California | $62,910 | $39,040 | $60,300 |
| 3 | Oregon | $61,100 | $54,870 | $58,280 |
| 4 | Washington | $56,480 | $45,790 | $55,740 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $54,690 | $45,690 | $58,530 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $54,010 | $41,440 | $49,020 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $53,890 | $37,750 | $50,390 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $51,590 | $28,080 | $37,690 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $49,550 | $46,450 | $49,790 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $48,630 | $36,410 | $45,590 |
| 11 | New York | $47,760 | $35,090 | $43,490 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $47,660 | $35,740 | $43,950 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $45,830 | $33,590 | $41,350 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $45,200 | $35,050 | $38,460 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $44,920 | $30,470 | $44,870 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $44,570 | $34,170 | $43,780 |
| 17 | Michigan | $44,350 | $29,720 | $39,500 |
| 18 | Maryland | $44,000 | $32,870 | $46,470 |
| 19 | Illinois | $43,430 | $31,200 | $39,410 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $42,760 | $33,780 | $42,570 |
| 21 | Vermont | $42,690 | $31,470 | $38,200 |
| 22 | Arizona | $41,780 | $31,170 | $38,500 |
| 23 | Florida | $41,530 | $30,300 | $37,080 |
| 24 | Virginia | $40,900 | $27,670 | $39,020 |
| 25 | Utah | $40,210 | $24,710 | $36,490 |
| 26 | Delaware | $40,040 | $31,200 | $36,510 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $39,860 | $22,460 | $30,400 |
| 28 | Maine | $39,760 | $31,110 | $37,440 |
| 29 | Indiana | $39,480 | $28,540 | $36,360 |
| 30 | Missouri | $39,250 | $29,220 | $34,790 |
| 31 | Iowa | $39,200 | $30,980 | $37,230 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $39,080 | $24,440 | $29,230 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $38,630 | $28,870 | $34,990 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $38,080 | $30,600 | $36,990 |
| 35 | Ohio | $37,830 | $28,480 | $37,150 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $37,430 | $24,120 | $29,730 |
| 37 | Kansas | $37,140 | $28,980 | $36,190 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $36,840 | $30,170 | $36,400 |
| 39 | Georgia | $36,240 | $20,800 | $38,870 |
| 40 | Idaho | $36,240 | $29,110 | $34,080 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $35,220 | $28,390 | $33,780 |
| 42 | Texas | $32,760 | $22,870 | $32,040 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $32,630 | $20,730 | $27,370 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $31,740 | $21,570 | $29,500 |
| 45 | Nevada | $31,550 | $24,960 | $24,960 |
| 46 | Montana | $30,060 | $22,930 | $28,050 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $29,220 | $25,560 | $27,840 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $28,660 | $18,300 | $23,770 |
| 49 | Alabama | $25,660 | $18,170 | $25,340 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $25,610 | $16,430 | $22,340 |
| — | National | $46,420 | $28,560 | $41,670 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Substitute Teachers, Short-Term (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Certified vs. Uncertified Sub Pay
| Certification | Daily Rate Premium |
|---|---|
| Uncertified (minimum requirement) | Base rate |
| Bachelor’s degree | +$10-$20/day |
| Teaching certificate | +$20-$40/day |
| Subject-specific certification | +$30-$50/day |
Requirements vary by state — some require only a high school diploma, others require bachelor’s degree or certification.
Long-Term Substitute Pay
Long-term subs (filling in for extended absences) earn significantly more:
| Duration | Notes |
|---|---|
| Day-to-day | Base sub rate |
| Long-term (10+ days same role) | Higher rate kicks in |
| Long-term (30+ days) | Some get full teacher pay |
| Full year coverage | Benefits possible |
Substitute Teacher Annual Income Reality
| Scenario | Days Worked | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional (2 days/week) | 70 | $8,400-$11,200 |
| Regular (3 days/week) | 105 | $12,600-$16,800 |
| Frequent (4 days/week) | 140 | $16,800-$22,400 |
| Maximum (every day) | 175 | $21,000-$28,000 |
Most subs work 2-3 days per week on average.
How to Calculate Your Potential Income
Formula: Daily Rate × Days Worked = Annual Income
Example (California certified sub working 3 days/week):
- Daily rate: $180
- Weeks available: 36 (school year)
- Days: 36 × 3 = 108 days
- Annual income: $19,440
Benefits Situation
| Benefit | Availability |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | Rarely (long-term only) |
| Retirement pension | Usually no |
| Paid time off | No |
| Sick leave | Some states require |
| Unemployment | Varies by state |
Affordable Care Act: Subs working 30+ hours may qualify for employer coverage.
Requirements to Become a Substitute Teacher
| Requirement | Varies By |
|---|---|
| Minimum education | High school to Bachelor’s |
| Background check | Universal |
| Fingerprinting | Most states |
| Training | 0-40 hours |
| Teaching certificate | Some states/districts |
Easiest states to qualify: Arizona, Missouri, Kentucky (high school diploma + training) Strictest states: New York, California, New Jersey (often require bachelor’s or certification)
Best Districts for Substitute Teaching
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Daily rate | $150+/day certified |
| Work availability | Large district = more days |
| Benefits | Some districts offer for 4+ days/week |
| Long-term opportunities | Higher pay, more stability |
| Signing through agency vs. district | District usually pays more |
Substitute Teaching Agencies
| Agency Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Direct district hire | Higher pay, benefits possible | Less flexibility |
| Staffing agency (Kelly, ESS) | Easy to start, multiple districts | Lower pay (agency takes cut) |
Agency-placed subs typically earn 10-20% less than district-hired subs.
Substitute Teaching as Stepping Stone
| Goal | Sub Experience Helps? |
|---|---|
| Full-time teaching job | Yes — networking, experience |
| Deciding if teaching is right | Yes — low commitment trial |
| Supplementing retirement | Yes — flexible schedule |
| Graduate student income | Yes — fits around classes |
| Stay-at-home parent income | Yes — school hours, flexible days |
Substitute Teacher Pay After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18,000 | $190 | $1,377 | $16,433 | $1,369 |
| $23,400 | $730 | $1,790 | $20,880 | $1,740 |
| $32,400 | $1,708 | $2,479 | $28,213 | $2,351 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
Rows assume 180 working days a year at $100, $130 and $180 a day. Most substitutes work fewer days. Self-employment note: Some subs are 1099 contractors and must pay self-employment tax (15.3%).
Job Outlook for Substitutes
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Demand | Very high (teacher shortages) |
| Post-COVID impact | Increased demand |
| Competition | Low in most areas |
| Availability | Consistent (school year) |
Many districts struggle to fill substitute positions.
Tips for Maximizing Substitute Teacher Income
- Get certified — $20-$50/day more
- Work in highest-paying districts — Research pay rates before signing up
- Be reliable — Regular subs get more requests
- Seek long-term assignments — Higher daily rate
- Sign up with multiple districts — More days available
- Consider permanent building sub — Consistent income, better relationships
- Avoid agencies if possible — Direct hire pays more
Related Articles
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Substitute Teachers Alliance, state education department data. Updated March 2026.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
- Social Security Administration. “Benefits and Eligibility Information.” ssa.gov/benefits
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