Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Salary in 2026
How Much Do Substitute Teachers, Short-Terms Make?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Terms earn a median annual salary of $38,470 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $26,240 at the 10th percentile to $63,460 at the 90th percentile — a range of $37,220. The highest-paying state is California at $57,260.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,240 |
| 25th percentile | $31,310 |
| Median (50th) | $38,470 |
| 75th percentile | $51,930 |
| 90th percentile | $63,460 |
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $57,260 |
| Oregon | $55,540 |
| Washington | $54,880 |
| Hawaii | $50,070 |
| Minnesota | $48,710 |
| District of Columbia | $47,930 |
| West Virginia | $47,630 |
| Rhode Island | $44,680 |
| Nebraska | $43,620 |
| Alaska | $42,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 |
| Wisconsin | $40,500 |
| North Dakota | $40,090 |
| New York | $39,500 |
| Maryland | $39,490 |
| Connecticut | $38,590 |
| Massachusetts | $38,420 |
| Illinois | $38,330 |
| Georgia | $37,860 |
| Virginia | $37,630 |
| New Jersey | $37,390 |
| Vermont | $37,280 |
| New Mexico | $37,100 |
| Iowa | $36,850 |
| Indiana | $36,830 |
| Florida | $36,400 |
| Arizona | $36,330 |
| Wyoming | $36,190 |
| Delaware | $36,000 |
| Ohio | $35,910 |
| Michigan | $34,770 |
| New Hampshire | $34,260 |
| Maine | $33,840 |
| South Carolina | $33,280 |
| Utah | $33,100 |
| Missouri | $32,890 |
| Idaho | $32,820 |
| Kansas | $32,460 |
| North Carolina | $32,420 |
| Texas | $29,610 |
| Kentucky | $29,100 |
| Arkansas | $28,490 |
| Louisiana | $28,450 |
| Montana | $28,410 |
| South Dakota | $26,880 |
| Tennessee | $26,240 |
| Alabama | $24,320 |
| Oklahoma | $22,450 |
| Nevada | $21,320 |
| Mississippi | $21,120 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Substitute Teachers, Short-Terms
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$26,240 – $31,310 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,470 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$51,930 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $63,460+ |
How to Earn More as a Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Substitute Teachers, Short-Terms in Bakersfield-Delano, CA earn $67,270 — $28,800 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($51,930) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Termthis career | $38,470 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Preschool Teacher | $37,120 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $61,430 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,340 |
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SOC: 25-3031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.