Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
SOC: 25-3031 O*NET: 25-3031.00
Median Salary
$38,470
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
61.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
What does a Substitute Teachers, Short-Term do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,240
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,310
25th percentile
Median
$38,470
50th percentile
Experienced
$51,930
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,460
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,240
25th
$31,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,470
Mean: $44,930
75th
$51,930
90th
$63,460
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $37,220 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,310 and $51,930
- •Salary spread is 53.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 481,300 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:510,100
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services11.4%
Administrative and Support Services11.4%
Employment Services11.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.6%
Annual Openings:61,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)510,100
Current
2034 (Projected)518,500
+1.6%
+8,400
Employment Change
+1.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
103,210 jobs$57,2601.83x
Texas
40,930 jobs$29,6100.95x
New York
32,910 jobs$39,5001.10x
Virginia
23,070 jobs$37,6301.82x
North Carolina
21,690 jobs$32,4201.42x
Florida
17,330 jobs$36,4000.57x
Pennsylvania
14,470 jobs$41,6000.77x
Illinois
14,330 jobs$38,3300.76x
Washington
13,890 jobs$54,8801.26x
New Jersey
13,790 jobs$37,3901.04x
Georgia
12,740 jobs$37,8600.84x
Missouri
10,410 jobs$32,8901.14x
Wisconsin
9,780 jobs$40,5001.07x
Indiana
8,660 jobs$36,8300.87x
Minnesota
8,430 jobs$48,7100.93x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Instructing
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Learning Strategies
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Instructing
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Learning Strategies
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Choreographers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Instructing
- →Monitoring
- →Learning Strategies
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Training & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Answer students' questions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Assist students with boarding or exiting school buses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Counsel students with adjustment or academic problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Grade students' assignments and exams.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Operate equipment such as computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals typically have a SCA Holland code
SSocial
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.64
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.50
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.48
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.47
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.36
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Concern for Others
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Leadership
4.1
Initiative
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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