Substitute teacher salary
BLS occupation: Substitute Teachers, Short-Term · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $41,670 a year, US
Median hourly pay $20.03 an hour
Middle half earn $34,170–$54,890 25th to 75th percentile
Substitute teachers employed 524,770 +2.0% projected by 2035
How much does a substitute teacher make?
- The median substitute teacher salary in the US is $41,670 a year ($20.03 an hour): half of the 524,770 substitute teachers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $46,420.
- The middle half earn between $34,170 and $54,890. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $28,560 and the top 10% more than $65,790.
- That is 18% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Alaska pays substitute teachers the most (median $66,920), followed by California ($60,300) and Hawaii ($58,530). Mississippi pays the least ($22,340).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Alaska, where the median is worth $65,378 in typical US prices, then Oregon and West Virginia.
- In 13 of the 320 metro areas with data, the median substitute teacher salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of substitute teachers to grow 2.0% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 65,000 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what substitute teachers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Substitute teacher salary range
Half of substitute teachers earn between $34,170 and $54,890 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $28,560
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $34,170
Median Yearly pay: $41,670
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $54,890
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $65,790
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $28,560 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $34,170 |
| Median | $41,670 |
| Top 25% earn over | $54,890 |
| Top 10% earn over | $65,790 |
Substitute teacher salary by state
Alaska pays substitute teachers the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($41,670), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 median |
| California | $60,300 median |
| Hawaii | $58,530 median |
| Oregon | $58,280 median |
| Washington | $55,740 median |
| Minnesota | $50,390 median |
| District of Columbia | $49,790 median |
| West Virginia | $49,020 median |
| Maryland | $46,470 median |
| Rhode Island | $45,590 median |
| Pennsylvania | $44,870 median |
| Wisconsin | $43,950 median |
| New Jersey | $43,780 median |
| New York | $43,490 median |
| North Dakota | $42,570 median |
| Massachusetts | $41,350 median |
| Michigan | $39,500 median |
| Illinois | $39,410 median |
| Virginia | $39,020 median |
| Georgia | $38,870 median |
| Arizona | $38,500 median |
| Connecticut | $38,460 median |
| Vermont | $38,200 median |
| Nebraska | $37,690 median |
| Maine | $37,440 median |
| Iowa | $37,230 median |
| Ohio | $37,150 median |
| Florida | $37,080 median |
| Wyoming | $36,990 median |
| Delaware | $36,510 median |
| Utah | $36,490 median |
| New Mexico | $36,400 median |
| Indiana | $36,360 median |
| Kansas | $36,190 median |
| New Hampshire | $34,990 median |
| Missouri | $34,790 median |
| Idaho | $34,080 median |
| North Carolina | $33,780 median |
| Texas | $32,040 median |
| South Carolina | $30,400 median |
| Kentucky | $29,730 median |
| Tennessee | $29,500 median |
| Arkansas | $29,230 median |
| Montana | $28,050 median |
| South Dakota | $27,840 median |
| Louisiana | $27,370 median |
| Alabama | $25,340 median |
| Nevada | $24,960 median |
| Oklahoma | $23,770 median |
| Mississippi | $22,340 median |
Where substitute teacher pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Substitute teachers' pay goes furthest in Alaska once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $65,378 |
| Oregon | $56,385 |
| West Virginia | $54,773 |
| California | $54,462 |
| Hawaii | $53,233 |
| Washington | $52,087 |
| Minnesota | $51,095 |
| North Dakota | $47,854 |
| Wisconsin | $46,708 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,987 |
Substitute teacher pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 | $32.17 | $38,250 | $132,530 | 1,420 | $65,378 |
| California | $60,300 | $28.99 | $39,040 | $78,670 | 115,660 | $54,462 |
| Hawaii | $58,530 | $28.14 | $45,690 | $60,620 | 3,990 | $53,233 |
| Oregon | $58,280 | $28.02 | $54,870 | $74,290 | 8,090 | $56,385 |
| Washington | $55,740 | $26.80 | $45,790 | $67,700 | 14,820 | $52,087 |
| Minnesota | $50,390 | $24.23 | $37,750 | $75,890 | 8,660 | $51,095 |
| District of Columbia | $49,790 | $23.94 | $46,450 | $51,090 | 750 | $45,304 |
| West Virginia | $49,020 | $23.57 | $41,440 | $75,290 | 4,840 | $54,773 |
| Maryland | $46,470 | $22.34 | $32,870 | $47,360 | 7,610 | $44,274 |
| Rhode Island | $45,590 | $21.92 | $36,410 | $60,640 | 1,910 | $44,574 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,870 | $21.57 | $30,470 | $63,930 | 22,360 | $45,987 |
| Wisconsin | $43,950 | $21.13 | $35,740 | $59,890 | 8,420 | $46,708 |
| New Jersey | $43,780 | $21.05 | $34,170 | $58,670 | 17,100 | $40,237 |
| New York | $43,490 | $20.91 | $35,090 | $60,010 | 36,090 | $40,298 |
| North Dakota | $42,570 | $20.47 | $33,780 | $55,080 | 420 | $47,854 |
| Massachusetts | $41,350 | $19.88 | $33,590 | $58,930 | 8,410 | $39,099 |
| Michigan | $39,500 | $18.99 | $29,720 | $61,370 | 3,600 | $41,053 |
| Illinois | $39,410 | $18.95 | $31,200 | $58,040 | 17,220 | $39,427 |
| Virginia | $39,020 | $18.76 | $27,670 | $53,540 | 24,350 | $38,594 |
| Georgia | $38,870 | $18.69 | $20,800 | $45,900 | 16,400 | $40,366 |
| Arizona | $38,500 | $18.51 | $31,170 | $50,290 | 4,710 | $38,241 |
| Connecticut | $38,460 | $18.49 | $35,050 | $63,980 | 5,950 | $37,120 |
| Vermont | $38,200 | $18.37 | $31,470 | $54,120 | 1,400 | $38,996 |
| Nebraska | $37,690 | $18.12 | $28,080 | $61,450 | 3,430 | $41,830 |
| Maine | $37,440 | $18.00 | $31,110 | $49,590 | – | $38,578 |
| Iowa | $37,230 | $17.90 | $30,980 | $47,770 | 7,300 | $42,422 |
| Ohio | $37,150 | $17.86 | $28,480 | $47,470 | 9,140 | $40,044 |
| Florida | $37,080 | $17.83 | $30,300 | $60,520 | 25,270 | $35,856 |
| Wyoming | $36,990 | $17.78 | $30,600 | $45,590 | 2,230 | $39,907 |
| Delaware | $36,510 | $17.55 | $31,200 | $50,590 | – | $36,580 |
| Utah | $36,490 | $17.54 | $24,710 | $53,780 | 4,710 | $36,909 |
| New Mexico | $36,400 | $17.50 | $30,170 | $43,960 | 3,510 | $39,474 |
| Indiana | $36,360 | $17.48 | $28,540 | $56,330 | 9,920 | $38,959 |
| Kansas | $36,190 | $17.40 | $28,980 | $44,900 | 9,360 | $40,181 |
| New Hampshire | $34,990 | $16.82 | $28,870 | $46,490 | 1,070 | $33,591 |
| Missouri | $34,790 | $16.73 | $29,220 | $49,850 | 11,480 | $38,308 |
| Idaho | $34,080 | $16.38 | $29,110 | $45,240 | 1,800 | $35,688 |
| North Carolina | $33,780 | $16.24 | $28,390 | $45,040 | 20,360 | $35,812 |
| Texas | $32,040 | $15.40 | $22,870 | $39,090 | 29,150 | $33,012 |
| South Carolina | $30,400 | $14.62 | $22,460 | $78,690 | 7,700 | $32,427 |
| Kentucky | $29,730 | $14.29 | $24,120 | $64,680 | 320 | $32,975 |
| Tennessee | $29,500 | $14.18 | $21,570 | $35,970 | 7,690 | $32,111 |
| Arkansas | $29,230 | $14.05 | $24,440 | $36,040 | 2,560 | $33,622 |
| Montana | $28,050 | $13.49 | $22,930 | $38,230 | 2,370 | $29,637 |
| South Dakota | $27,840 | $13.38 | $25,560 | $34,700 | 1,610 | $31,427 |
| Louisiana | $27,370 | $13.16 | $20,730 | $44,350 | 1,090 | $31,029 |
| Alabama | $25,340 | $12.18 | $18,170 | $30,020 | 9,290 | $28,529 |
| Nevada | $24,960 | $12.00 | $24,960 | $40,620 | 6,600 | $24,965 |
| Oklahoma | $23,770 | $11.43 | $18,300 | $42,550 | 4,990 | $27,060 |
| Mississippi | $22,340 | $10.74 | $16,430 | $33,320 | 2,390 | $25,692 |
BLS does not publish pay for substitute teachers in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Substitute teacher salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes substitute teacher pay: 323 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Anchorage, AK $78,840
- Napa, CA $76,520
- San Jose, CA $72,330
- Bakersfield, CA $66,480
- Vallejo, CA $66,000
- Stockton, CA $65,190
- Salinas, CA $63,970
- Modesto, CA $63,440
- Eugene, OR $62,660
- La Crosse, WI $62,400
Where the pay goes furthest
- Anchorage, AK $74,787
- St. Cloud, MN $68,445
- La Crosse, WI $67,997
- Napa, CA $67,985
- Beckley, WV $65,917
- Bakersfield, CA $65,896
- Rochester, MN $65,524
- San Jose, CA $65,503
- Longview, WA $62,802
- Stockton, CA $62,033
All 323 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $78,840 | 330 | $74,787 | 29% |
| Napa, CA | $76,520 | 300 | $67,985 | 46% |
| San Jose, CA | $72,330 | 3,800 | $65,503 | 63% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $66,480 | 5,390 | $65,896 | 33% |
| Vallejo, CA | $66,000 | 700 | $60,841 | 45% |
| Stockton, CA | $65,190 | 3,060 | $62,033 | 45% |
| Salinas, CA | $63,970 | 1,220 | $58,665 | 52% |
| Modesto, CA | $63,440 | 1,990 | $60,937 | 39% |
| Eugene, OR | $62,660 | 480 | $61,693 | 34% |
| La Crosse, WI | $62,400 | 170 | $67,997 | 26% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,310 | 610 | $57,271 | 63% |
| Kahului, HI | $62,280 | 350 | $56,932 | 62% |
| Oxnard, CA | $62,260 | 2,100 | $56,327 | 57% |
| Yuba City, CA | $61,710 | 370 | $59,204 | 40% |
| Hanford, CA | $61,590 | 210 | $60,613 | 38% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $61,290 | 1,430 | $56,864 | 52% |
| Longview, WA | $61,260 | 230 | $62,802 | 28% |
| Portland, OR | $61,190 | 4,110 | $58,043 | 35% |
| Chico, CA | $61,030 | 450 | $60,308 | 30% |
| San Francisco, CA | $60,790 | 10,570 | $52,581 | 68% |
| Riverside, CA | $60,780 | 15,430 | $57,102 | 50% |
| Merced, CA | $60,770 | 1,450 | $61,837 | 41% |
| Seattle, WA | $60,070 | 7,220 | $54,052 | 45% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $59,980 | 70 | $68,445 | 24% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $59,900 | 1,070 | $54,506 | 69% |
| San Diego, CA | $59,860 | 9,480 | $53,500 | 59% |
| Sacramento, CA | $59,780 | 6,510 | $56,042 | 46% |
| Rochester, MN | $59,510 | 240 | $65,524 | 32% |
| Corvallis, OR | $59,030 | 30 | $56,750 | 37% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $58,620 | 680 | $53,980 | 57% |
| Honolulu, HI | $58,520 | 2,900 | $52,739 | 62% |
| Beckley, WV | $58,250 | 500 | $65,917 | 21% |
| Redding, CA | $57,460 | 200 | $57,070 | 35% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $57,210 | 35,740 | $50,376 | 61% |
| Bend, OR | $56,600 | 700 | $54,630 | 47% |
| Visalia, CA | $56,040 | 1,880 | $56,138 | 37% |
| Bremerton, WA | $55,950 | 450 | $52,979 | 44% |
| Albany, OR | $55,740 | 90 | $54,594 | 35% |
| Bellingham, WA | $55,740 | 600 | $53,942 | 42% |
| Medford, OR | $55,580 | 460 | $54,795 | 40% |
| Fresno, CA | $54,890 | 8,670 | $53,730 | 45% |
| El Centro, CA | $54,420 | 690 | $57,179 | 40% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $54,350 | 290 | $53,054 | 48% |
| Miami, FL | $54,050 | 7,940 | $47,348 | 59% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $53,850 | 580 | $57,183 | 36% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $53,610 | 150 | $54,416 | 33% |
| Green Bay, WI | $52,680 | 620 | $56,593 | 25% |
| Traverse City, MI | $52,450 | 90 | $56,173 | 42% |
| Spokane, WA | $52,000 | 1,110 | $51,821 | 35% |
| Yakima, WA | $51,490 | 710 | $53,891 | 32% |
| Jackson, MI | $51,390 | 40 | $55,993 | 28% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $50,390 | 7,510 | $48,072 | 41% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $49,630 | 460 | $57,003 | 26% |
| Erie, PA | $49,580 | 400 | $54,513 | 27% |
| Huntington, WV | $48,270 | 860 | $54,590 | 27% |
| Olympia, WA | $48,060 | 280 | $46,359 | 51% |
| Lansing, MI | $47,880 | 210 | $50,405 | 33% |
| Morgantown, WV | $46,760 | 330 | $50,106 | 35% |
| Detroit, MI | $46,680 | 1,480 | $46,541 | 39% |
| Weirton, WV | $46,610 | 140 | $52,357 | 21% |
| Sioux City, IA | $46,530 | 360 | $53,821 | 33% |
| Washington, DC | $46,470 | 15,060 | $42,678 | 62% |
| Reading, PA | $46,310 | 1,140 | $47,713 | 40% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $46,190 | 1,560 | $47,650 | 40% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $45,800 | 2,750 | $46,763 | 49% |
| Duluth, MN | $45,790 | 190 | $51,584 | 35% |
| Lebanon, PA | $45,760 | 240 | $49,091 | 38% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $45,680 | 11,210 | $44,542 | 50% |
| Providence, RI | $45,510 | 2,780 | $44,717 | 57% |
| New York, NY | $45,220 | 26,760 | $40,173 | 94% |
| Charleston, WV | $45,080 | 210 | $50,813 | 32% |
| Kennewick, WA | $45,050 | 750 | $45,014 | 45% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $45,050 | 320 | $43,378 | 47% |
| Wheeling, WV | $44,880 | 200 | $50,813 | 23% |
| Naples, FL | $44,690 | 970 | $43,304 | 70% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $44,680 | 720 | $48,577 | 39% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $44,550 | 430 | $45,065 | 55% |
| Racine, WI | $44,420 | 200 | $46,290 | 39% |
| Greensboro, NC | $44,370 | 1,320 | $47,779 | 38% |
| Kenosha, WI | $44,240 | 470 | $43,751 | – |
| Madison, WI | $43,960 | 1,000 | $45,186 | 49% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $43,940 | 590 | $43,609 | 55% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $43,900 | 210 | $46,159 | 48% |
| Kingston, NY | $43,490 | 380 | $43,184 | 56% |
| Chicago, IL | $43,460 | 11,110 | $41,952 | 60% |
| Omaha, NE | $43,440 | 1,240 | $47,263 | 39% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $43,350 | 620 | $43,943 | 41% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $43,180 | 1,100 | $40,406 | 80% |
| Muskegon, MI | $43,140 | 80 | $46,628 | 36% |
| York, PA | $43,110 | 410 | $44,906 | 38% |
| Syracuse, NY | $43,070 | 1,880 | $44,985 | 45% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $43,030 | 460 | $45,880 | 42% |
| Buffalo, NY | $42,740 | 3,380 | $44,593 | 41% |
| Charleston, SC | $42,640 | 1,180 | $42,234 | 57% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $42,580 | 40 | $46,463 | 32% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $42,470 | 310 | $44,768 | 41% |
| Rochester, NY | $42,280 | 3,130 | $43,572 | 43% |
| Champaign, IL | $42,270 | 360 | $45,597 | 39% |
| Boston, MA | $42,080 | 5,450 | $38,867 | 85% |
| Altoona, PA | $42,060 | 70 | $46,991 | 29% |
| Portland, ME | $41,930 | – | $41,165 | 66% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $41,820 | 2,230 | $44,174 | 42% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $41,620 | 2,420 | $41,262 | 47% |
| Burlington, VT | $41,600 | 430 | $41,209 | 75% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $41,600 | 70 | $48,002 | 33% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $41,590 | 3,220 | $40,255 | 50% |
| Springfield, MA | $41,350 | 570 | $43,046 | 57% |
| Kansas City, MO | $40,440 | 5,000 | $43,699 | 46% |
| North Port, FL | $40,000 | 930 | $39,056 | 63% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $39,980 | 100 | $42,526 | 40% |
| Albany, NY | $39,870 | 2,270 | $40,044 | 51% |
| Binghamton, NY | $39,860 | 650 | $42,923 | 48% |
| Atlanta, GA | $39,340 | 12,070 | $39,317 | 56% |
| Norwich, CT | $39,340 | 670 | $39,166 | 64% |
| Columbia, SC | $39,250 | 770 | $41,906 | 48% |
| Hartford, CT | $39,050 | 2,000 | $38,006 | 61% |
| Trenton, NJ | $39,040 | 1,200 | $37,837 | 78% |
| Appleton, WI | $39,010 | 250 | $42,210 | 37% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $39,010 | 60 | $38,884 | 65% |
| Decatur, IL | $39,000 | 160 | $44,107 | 33% |
| Utica, NY | $39,000 | 540 | $42,081 | 44% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $38,920 | 130 | $38,580 | 59% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $38,830 | 240 | $40,242 | 47% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $38,830 | 260 | $41,785 | 39% |
| Flint, MI | $38,600 | 280 | $41,490 | 32% |
| Allentown, PA | $38,540 | 690 | $38,552 | 57% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $38,520 | 720 | $42,699 | 46% |
| Worcester, MA | $38,460 | 940 | $37,514 | 66% |
| Lancaster, PA | $38,420 | 180 | $39,102 | 49% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $38,060 | 1,470 | $34,783 | 71% |
| Columbus, OH | $37,940 | 3,390 | $39,741 | 48% |
| Tucson, AZ | $37,890 | 450 | $39,104 | 47% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $37,870 | 560 | $38,196 | 65% |
| Ithaca, NY | $37,820 | 240 | $36,606 | 63% |
| Elmira, NY | $37,810 | 190 | $40,054 | 36% |
| Watertown, NY | $37,810 | 470 | $43,118 | 47% |
| Des Moines, IA | $37,750 | 1,780 | $41,166 | 41% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $37,730 | 140 | $38,201 | 62% |
| Orlando, FL | $37,690 | 2,180 | $37,163 | 61% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $37,650 | 890 | $37,648 | 60% |
| Ogden, UT | $37,480 | 1,030 | $37,350 | 52% |
| New Haven, CT | $37,450 | 1,160 | $35,817 | 65% |
| Barnstable, MA | $37,390 | 310 | $38,017 | 83% |
| Vineland, NJ | $37,360 | 160 | $38,930 | 53% |
| Scranton, PA | $37,260 | 740 | $39,826 | 44% |
| Kokomo, IN | $37,220 | 120 | $41,518 | 35% |
| Waterbury, CT | $37,150 | 610 | $37,233 | – |
| Gainesville, GA | $37,110 | 230 | $38,350 | 55% |
| Baltimore, MD | $37,090 | 2,250 | $35,497 | 63% |
| Dover, DE | $37,070 | 180 | $38,018 | 57% |
| Rockford, IL | $37,000 | 580 | $40,150 | 42% |
| Fargo, ND | $36,990 | 50 | $40,706 | 36% |
| Evansville, IN | $36,950 | 270 | $40,370 | 36% |
| Lawrence, KS | $36,940 | 80 | $40,934 | 51% |
| Deltona, FL | $36,890 | 780 | $37,125 | 57% |
| Davenport, IA | $36,850 | 990 | $41,368 | 33% |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,850 | 470 | $40,269 | 57% |
| Sebring, FL | $36,750 | 160 | $39,743 | 50% |
| Wausau, WI | $36,720 | 250 | $39,633 | 31% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,710 | 650 | $41,264 | 40% |
| Kankakee, IL | $36,700 | 200 | $38,073 | 43% |
| Roanoke, VA | $36,670 | 620 | $39,170 | 46% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $36,560 | 280 | $36,471 | – |
| Ocala, FL | $36,540 | 400 | $38,369 | 52% |
| Elkhart, IN | $36,450 | 280 | $40,354 | 39% |
| Waterloo, IA | $36,440 | 400 | $41,858 | 34% |
| South Bend, IN | $36,420 | 170 | $39,221 | 41% |
| St. George, UT | $36,380 | 420 | $37,381 | 61% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $36,360 | 2,920 | $37,995 | 50% |
| Ames, IA | $36,330 | 260 | $40,898 | 38% |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,330 | 450 | $38,840 | 43% |
| Logan, UT | $36,330 | 150 | $37,873 | 47% |
| Farmington, NM | $36,170 | 260 | $41,240 | 46% |
| Tampa, FL | $36,100 | 3,300 | $35,782 | 66% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,060 | 860 | $38,953 | 42% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $36,040 | 1,480 | $36,227 | 56% |
| Topeka, KS | $36,040 | 480 | $40,576 | 42% |
| Louisville, KY | $36,030 | 450 | $38,711 | 45% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $35,980 | 90 | $36,619 | 63% |
| St. Louis, MO | $35,900 | 6,180 | $37,755 | 48% |
| Winchester, VA | $35,900 | 410 | $37,221 | 61% |
| Lafayette, IN | $35,760 | 350 | $38,275 | 49% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $35,750 | 790 | $37,417 | 50% |
| Springfield, IL | $35,620 | 210 | $38,406 | 41% |
| Raleigh, NC | $35,510 | 1,860 | $36,177 | 56% |
| Lewiston, ME | $35,490 | 140 | $37,462 | 54% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $35,300 | 490 | $36,946 | 55% |
| Saginaw, MI | $35,260 | 70 | $38,794 | 36% |
| Richmond, VA | $35,230 | 4,160 | $36,001 | 58% |
| Durham, NC | $35,190 | 1,280 | $36,066 | 56% |
| Bangor, ME | $35,030 | 230 | $36,298 | 52% |
| Bloomington, IN | $35,030 | 230 | $36,841 | 60% |
| Dayton, OH | $34,980 | 700 | $37,737 | 45% |
| Boise, ID | $34,960 | 850 | $35,532 | 66% |
| Greenville, SC | $34,930 | 2,680 | $37,454 | 54% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $34,880 | 40 | $36,570 | 47% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $34,850 | 150 | $39,051 | 44% |
| Muncie, IN | $34,730 | 150 | $39,400 | 36% |
| Manchester, NH | $34,700 | 340 | $32,842 | 75% |
| Salisbury, MD | $34,620 | 50 | $36,207 | 67% |
| Manhattan, KS | $34,510 | 470 | $38,276 | 44% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $34,480 | 220 | $33,689 | 64% |
| Provo, UT | $34,440 | 460 | $35,060 | 62% |
| Sandusky, OH | $34,440 | 80 | $38,575 | 63% |
| Canton, OH | $34,420 | 270 | $38,499 | 40% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $34,410 | 410 | $34,332 | 81% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $34,310 | 110 | $36,177 | 45% |
| Austin, TX | $34,280 | 1,910 | $34,956 | 56% |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,280 | 490 | $37,692 | 47% |
| Dallas, TX | $34,270 | 8,050 | $33,243 | 58% |
| Springfield, OH | $34,230 | 100 | $37,831 | 42% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $34,200 | 60 | $36,345 | 54% |
| Savannah, GA | $34,170 | 280 | $35,891 | 62% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $34,150 | 170 | $38,897 | 34% |
| Lincoln, NE | $34,140 | 430 | $37,278 | 45% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,130 | 810 | $35,787 | 54% |
| Cleveland, OH | $34,080 | 530 | $36,285 | 51% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $34,080 | 130 | $34,672 | 64% |
| Sebastian, FL | $34,070 | 30 | $34,656 | 75% |
| Asheville, NC | $34,060 | 540 | $35,293 | 60% |
| Midland, MI | $33,860 | 30 | $36,836 | 49% |
| Pensacola, FL | $33,840 | 60 | $34,631 | 62% |
| Wilmington, NC | $33,780 | 880 | $35,033 | 62% |
| Lima, OH | $33,730 | 60 | $37,616 | 43% |
| Wichita, KS | $33,700 | 1,810 | $37,888 | 43% |
| Akron, OH | $33,610 | 250 | $35,997 | 47% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $33,480 | 130 | $38,758 | 36% |
| Hickory, NC | $33,220 | 1,060 | $37,543 | 58% |
| Youngstown, OH | $32,990 | 220 | $37,749 | 38% |
| Midland, TX | $32,810 | 560 | $34,255 | 57% |
| Houston, TX | $32,550 | 9,600 | $33,002 | 60% |
| Athens, GA | $32,350 | 290 | $34,657 | 66% |
| Toledo, OH | $32,350 | 290 | $35,373 | 47% |
| Niles, MI | $32,270 | 50 | $34,936 | 52% |
| Springfield, MO | $32,190 | 630 | $36,338 | 47% |
| Charlotte, NC | $32,010 | 2,570 | $32,882 | 65% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $31,960 | 90 | $36,180 | 70% |
| Memphis, TN | $31,930 | 1,270 | $34,639 | 52% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $31,750 | 130 | $36,090 | 38% |
| Yuma, AZ | $31,740 | 260 | $34,237 | 54% |
| Michigan City, IN | $31,530 | 270 | $34,391 | 46% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $31,490 | 110 | $34,188 | 59% |
| Panama City, FL | $31,470 | 480 | $32,345 | 66% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $31,470 | 2,370 | $34,191 | 58% |
| Brunswick, GA | $31,370 | 180 | $35,766 | 64% |
| Laredo, TX | $31,220 | 990 | $35,903 | 43% |
| Crestview, FL | $31,200 | 1,280 | $32,155 | 76% |
| Peoria, IL | $31,200 | 1,100 | $34,199 | 45% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $31,130 | 170 | $33,806 | 61% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $31,050 | 240 | $33,989 | 61% |
| Nashville, TN | $30,820 | 3,260 | $31,992 | 70% |
| Joplin, MO | $30,780 | 540 | $35,908 | 48% |
| Kingsport, TN | $30,760 | 350 | $35,582 | 52% |
| Columbia, MO | $30,740 | 220 | $34,370 | 57% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $30,590 | 150 | $34,757 | 50% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $30,310 | 400 | $33,443 | 50% |
| Billings, MT | $30,250 | 250 | $32,344 | 55% |
| Greenville, NC | $30,240 | 210 | $34,207 | 58% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $30,000 | 60 | $34,852 | 41% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $29,970 | 200 | $32,340 | 57% |
| Gainesville, FL | $29,890 | 110 | $30,899 | 66% |
| Bozeman, MT | $29,880 | 200 | $29,148 | 88% |
| San Antonio, TX | $29,510 | 1,170 | $31,156 | 58% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $29,500 | 280 | $32,253 | 61% |
| Jackson, MS | $29,470 | 450 | $33,095 | 60% |
| Mansfield, OH | $29,370 | 100 | $33,048 | 37% |
| Missoula, MT | $29,310 | 230 | $30,390 | 66% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $29,280 | 500 | $31,176 | 60% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $29,240 | 360 | $30,814 | 69% |
| Little Rock, AR | $29,230 | 1,000 | $32,709 | 51% |
| Abilene, TX | $29,120 | 610 | $32,225 | 82% |
| Tyler, TX | $29,010 | 240 | $31,479 | 54% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $28,980 | 240 | $32,375 | 54% |
| Staunton, VA | $28,750 | 320 | $31,549 | 60% |
| Rapid City, SD | $28,550 | 100 | $32,021 | 61% |
| Dothan, AL | $28,410 | 100 | $33,889 | 51% |
| Odessa, TX | $28,410 | – | $30,257 | 67% |
| Brownsville, TX | $28,220 | 120 | $32,823 | 64% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $27,970 | 1,900 | $30,938 | 59% |
| New Orleans, LA | $27,830 | 300 | $30,055 | 68% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $27,720 | 370 | $29,900 | 72% |
| Helena, MT | $27,700 | 110 | $28,952 | 71% |
| Albany, GA | $27,410 | 140 | $31,265 | 47% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $27,360 | 580 | $30,617 | 56% |
| Sherman, TX | $27,300 | 50 | $29,113 | 60% |
| McAllen, TX | $27,260 | 480 | $31,736 | 49% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $26,890 | 430 | $29,621 | 61% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $26,890 | – | $27,434 | 88% |
| Tulsa, OK | $26,890 | 1,180 | $30,141 | 61% |
| Monroe, LA | $26,770 | 50 | $32,023 | 53% |
| Great Falls, MT | $26,730 | 150 | $27,601 | 64% |
| Waco, TX | $26,690 | 140 | $28,838 | 64% |
| Cleveland, TN | $26,590 | 220 | $30,188 | 64% |
| Mobile, AL | $25,720 | 290 | $29,195 | 60% |
| Johnson City, TN | $25,520 | 170 | $29,024 | 70% |
| Shreveport, LA | $25,510 | 120 | $30,095 | 60% |
| Daphne, AL | $25,340 | 1,190 | $26,761 | 81% |
| Gadsden, AL | $25,340 | 210 | $29,584 | 51% |
| Huntsville, AL | $25,340 | 820 | $27,226 | 66% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $25,340 | 290 | $28,887 | 79% |
| Amarillo, TX | $25,280 | 70 | $27,532 | 62% |
| El Paso, TX | $24,980 | 1,170 | $27,783 | 73% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $24,960 | 5,920 | $24,906 | 83% |
| Montgomery, AL | $24,950 | 210 | $27,821 | 67% |
| Longview, TX | $24,820 | 150 | $27,736 | 56% |
| Augusta, GA | $24,800 | 360 | $26,985 | 71% |
| Auburn, AL | $24,690 | 130 | $28,078 | 78% |
| Lubbock, TX | $23,770 | 100 | $26,030 | 67% |
| Killeen, TX | $23,710 | 350 | $26,017 | 66% |
| Columbus, GA | $23,670 | 110 | $26,507 | 69% |
| Jackson, TN | $23,400 | 100 | $27,361 | 71% |
| Macon, GA | $23,350 | 110 | $26,376 | 62% |
| Florence, AL | $23,060 | 360 | $27,188 | 56% |
| Gulfport, MS | $22,950 | 110 | $25,498 | 74% |
| College Station, TX | $22,620 | 80 | $24,871 | 80% |
| Valdosta, GA | $22,340 | – | $25,308 | 71% |
| Sumter, SC | $22,050 | 60 | $25,051 | 80% |
| Hinesville, GA | $22,030 | 100 | $23,453 | 95% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $21,730 | 120 | $24,797 | 72% |
| Knoxville, TN | $21,520 | 200 | $23,248 | 96% |
| Enid, OK | $20,980 | 70 | $24,896 | 64% |
| Lawton, OK | $19,490 | 70 | $22,678 | 69% |
| Decatur, AL | $17,680 | 310 | $20,272 | 73% |
What the median substitute teacher salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $41,670 |
| Month | $3,473 |
| Every two weeks | $1,603 |
| Week | $801 |
| Hour | $20.03 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a substitute teacher: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +2.0% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 65,000 |
| Self-employed | 5.2% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school teacher | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree |
| Middle school teacher | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree |
| Kindergarten teacher | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| High school teacher | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Librarian | $68,270 | Master's degree |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | Some college |
| Preschool teacher | $38,140 | Associate's degree |
| Special education teacher | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about substitute teacher pay
How much does a substitute teacher make an hour?
The median is $20.03 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $13.73 and the top 10% over $31.63.
How much does a substitute teacher make a month?
About $3,473 a month before taxes at the median salary of $41,670, or $1,603 every two weeks.
What state pays substitute teachers the most?
Alaska, with a median of $66,920. California ($60,300), Hawaii ($58,530), Oregon ($58,280) and Washington ($55,740) follow.
Where do substitute teachers make the most after cost of living?
Alaska: its median of $66,920 is worth $65,378 at typical US prices. Oregon, West Virginia and California come next.
How much do entry-level substitute teachers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of substitute teachers earn under $28,560 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $34,170, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a substitute teacher?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 25-3031 (Substitute Teachers, Short-Term). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.