Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
O*NET 25-3031.00 · SOC 25-3031
Substitute Teacher is a solid career choice. Median pay is $42k a year with +2% projected growth through 2035 (slower than average) and about 65,000 openings a year. AI exposure: Low.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Follow lesson plans left by the absent classroom teacher.
- →Maintain classroom order and enforce school rules during assignments.
- →Take attendance and report student absences to the main office.
- →Deliver pre-planned instruction across multiple grade levels or subjects.
- →Leave notes for the regular teacher summarizing the day's activities.
Education & How to Get In
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Substitute Teacher roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
People-facing, clinics, schools, or client sites
Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Substitute Teacher involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Substitute Teacher?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Substitute Teacher Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
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Job Outlook
Employment of Substitute Teachers, Short-Term is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·49% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
- ·27% creative/strategic tasks, AI augments, doesn't replace
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Substitute Teacher make?
The median Substitute Teacher earns $42k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Substitute Teacher jobs?
Our model puts Substitute Teacher at 23 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is low risk, AI-resistant. The main drivers: 49% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace; 27% creative/strategic tasks, AI augments, doesn't replace.
Is Substitute Teacher a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 2% between 2025 and 2035, which is slower than average. That works out to roughly 65,000 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Substitute Teacher?
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Substitute Teacher roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.
How long does it take to become a Substitute Teacher?
Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Substitute Teacher career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
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