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
$41,670
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
65
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
$28,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,170
25th percentile
Median
$41,670
50th percentile
Experienced
$54,890
75th percentile
Top Earners
$65,790
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,560
25th
$34,170
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,670
Mean: $46,420
75th
$54,890
90th
$65,790
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $37,230 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,170 and $54,890
- •Salary spread is 49.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 524,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:556,100
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services16.9%
Administrative and Support Services16.9%
Employment Services16.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2%
Annual Openings:65,000
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)556,100
Current
2035 (Projected)567,000
+2%
+10,900
Employment Change
+2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
115,660 jobs$60,3001.88x
New York
36,090 jobs$43,4901.10x
Texas
29,150 jobs$32,0400.61x
Florida
25,270 jobs$37,0800.75x
Virginia
24,350 jobs$39,0201.76x
Pennsylvania
22,360 jobs$44,8701.09x
North Carolina
20,360 jobs$33,7801.22x
Illinois
17,220 jobs$39,4100.84x
New Jersey
17,100 jobs$43,7801.18x
Georgia
16,400 jobs$38,8700.99x
Washington
14,820 jobs$55,7401.24x
Missouri
11,480 jobs$34,7901.16x
Indiana
9,920 jobs$36,3600.92x
Kansas
9,360 jobs$36,1901.93x
Alabama
9,290 jobs$25,3401.30x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
English Language
100%
#3
Oral Comprehension
100%
#4
Reading Comprehension
94%
#5
Oral Expression
92%
#6
Active Listening
86%
#7
Speech Clarity
82%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#9
Education and Training
80%
#10
Critical Thinking
74%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
English Language
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Expression
advanced4.6
92%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speech Clarity
intermediate4.1
82%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
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
English Language
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speech Clarity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
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
- ✓English Language
- ✓Education and Training
Learn on the Job:
- →Instructing
- →Monitoring
- →Learning Strategies
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓English Language
- ✓Education and Training
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★English Language
- ★Education and Training
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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.3k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
735 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
336 program completions/year
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM
263 program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
256 program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
233 program completions/year
Alamance Community College
Graham, NC
228 program completions/year
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI
227 program completions/year
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI
218 program completions/year
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA
211 program completions/year
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI
211 program completions/year
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC
200 program completions/year
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