If considering work in schools, you might wonder how much do substitute teachers make? Is there an average substitute teacher salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website, the 2023 national mean hourly wage of short-term substitute teachers is $20.95.
Let's look more closely as to how substitute teachers get paid and the benefits of doing this meaningful work in our schools.
Kelly Education hires substitute teachers in school districts across the country. So, we know that there are many factors that contribute to pay rates. Most don't earn a set substitute teacher salary, instead they fall into an hourly or per diem pay structure.
School districts determine the substitute teacher pay rate. As a starting point, many look to state minimum wage requirements for substitute teachers. Local cost of living, taxes, and school bond rates play a role in what the districts can pay. Districts also look at the pay rates for comparable jobs in the area.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website, the 2023 national mean hourly wage of short-term substitute teachers is $20.95.
As a point of reference, the average hourly rate of pay for substitute teachers by state ranges from $33 in Wisconsin to almost $15.60 in Texas. Again, some districts pay more or less depending on their local and state tax base and other factors. Some states and districts require a college degree to become a substitute teacher while others require a high school diploma.
For average substitute teacher pay rates in your state, you can check out the BLS website . However, you'll find the most accurate local pay information by referring to the job description for the actual substitute teacher position. These are typically found on the school district website or job board postings.
Note that while what substitute teachers get paid can be be reported as an hourly rate, many school districts pay a daily rate. For example, a district might pay you $80-125 per day. Districts may set higher substitute teacher pay rates for individuals who meet certain criteria, like having a higher education degree or prior experience as a teacher.
At Kelly Education, we work with our partner school districts to provide an analysis of the local job market to help set competitive pay for substitute teachers.
Many substitute teachers weigh how much they make with the flexibility of the work.
For substitute teachers, it's not just about the pay rate. Most substitute teacher roles are part-time and may not be eligible for district benefits. When working as a substitute teacher through Kelly Education, educators have access to:
For more guidance on working as a substitute teacher, check out our library of helpful articles, including:
If you are ready to make a difference with flexible work that matters, the Kelly Education team is here to help you explore your options. Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to share more about opportunities to become a sub teacher with one of our school district partners.