Education & Childcare career

Substitute Teacher

Also called: Substitute · Guest Teacher · Supply Teacher · Long-Term Substitute

What substitute teachers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a substitute teacher do?

Substitute teachers fill in for absent teachers, following lesson plans, managing classrooms and keeping students learning. The median pay is $41,670 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Days to weeks for a substitute permit, and employment is projected to grow +2.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $41,670
    $20.03/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.0%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    65,000
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Bachelor's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Days to weeks for a substitute permit
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    556,100
    Employment, 2025

What substitute teachers do

Substitute teachers keep schools running when teachers are out. They follow lesson plans, take attendance, manage behavior, help students with work and leave notes for the regular teacher. Long-term substitutes may plan lessons and grade work for weeks or months.

Requirements vary by state and district. Some require a bachelor’s degree; others accept college credits or a high school diploma with training. Substitute teaching offers flexibility and is a great way to explore teaching.

Typical duties

  • Follow lesson plans
  • Take attendance
  • Manage classroom behavior
  • Help students with assignments
  • Supervise students throughout the day
  • Follow school procedures and emergency plans
  • Leave notes for the regular teacher

Work environment and schedule

Substitutes work in schools, often in different classrooms and grades each day.

Schedule: Substitutes choose assignments, working full days, half days or long-term assignments during the school year.

A day in the life

  1. Accept an assignment on the district app and check in at the office.
  2. Read the teacher’s plans and seating chart.
  3. Greet students and take attendance.
  4. Teach the planned math lesson.

See a full day in the life of a substitute teacher →

Substitute Teacher salary

Half of substitute teachers earned more than $41,670 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,560 for the lowest 10% to $65,790 for the top 10%.

Full substitute teacher pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a substitute teacher

  1. Check your state’s requirements
  2. Apply for a substitute permit
  3. Register with districts
  4. Accept assignments
  5. Advance

Requirements vary by state. Some require a bachelor’s degree, others accept college credits or a high school diploma with training. Most require a substitute permit and background check.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a substitute teacher →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Classroom management
  • Following lesson plans
  • Subject knowledge
  • School procedures
  • Student engagement

People skills

  • Confidence
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Communication

All substitute teacher skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Flexible schedule
  • Try different grades and schools
  • Path to teaching
  • Often no license required

Cons

  • Behavior challenges with new students
  • Inconsistent work
  • No benefits in many districts
  • Unfamiliar classrooms

Certifications and licenses

  • State substitute teaching permit: Required in most states.
  • Background check and fingerprints: Required for school work.
  • Substitute training: District or online training courses.
  • Teaching license: Required for some long-term substitute roles.

Career path

  1. Day-to-Day Substitute: Cover classes.
  2. Long-Term Substitute: Teach extended assignments.
  3. Licensed Teacher: Lead your own classroom.
  4. Department Lead: Lead subjects or grade levels.

Learn the job before day one

Our Substitute Teacher training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as start the day as a substitute and manage a class you don’t know, safety and how to land your first job.

View Substitute Teacher trainingIs this career right for me?

Teacher Assistant

Support teachers and help students learn in classrooms.

  • $36,780
  • Weeks to 2 years depending on the district

High School Teacher

Teach teenagers a subject and prepare them for college, careers and life.

  • $72,040
  • 4 years plus licensing

Tutor

Help students master subjects and prepare for tests one-on-one.

  • $43,350
  • Weeks to months

Compare: Substitute Teacher vs. Teacher Assistant · Substitute Teacher vs. Elementary Teacher · Substitute Teacher vs. High School Teacher · Substitute Teacher vs. Tutor

Substitute Teacher FAQ

Do substitute teachers need a degree?

It depends on the state.

Can substitutes choose their schedules?

Usually yes.

Is subbing a good path to teaching?

Yes. It builds experience and connections.

How much does a substitute teacher make?

The median annual wage for substitute teachers was $41,670 ($20.03 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,560 and the highest 10% earned more than $65,790.

How long does it take to become a substitute teacher?

Most people need about Days to weeks for a substitute permit of training. Requirements vary by state. Some require a bachelor’s degree, others accept college credits or a high school diploma with training. Most require a substitute permit and background check.

Do you need a degree to be a substitute teacher?

Not always. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but requirements vary by state: some accept an associate degree or college credits, and a few accept a high school diploma with training.

More substitute teacher questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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