Best Jobs for Former Substitute Teachers in 2026
Being a substitute teacher can be challenging in today’s educational landscape, leading many to reconsider their career paths. While enrollment in teacher preparation programs remains steady, the number of individuals applying for substitute teaching positions is declining, prompting an exploration of alternative careers.
With a significant number of former substitute teachers transitioning to new roles, a pertinent question arises:
What career paths are they pursuing now?
To uncover the answer, we analyzed the resumes of former substitute teachers who have moved on to different occupations. We focused on the top 100 jobs that emerged from our findings.
Given the intriguing nature of some of these career shifts, we’ve highlighted several noteworthy options below.
Top Careers for Former Substitute Teachers
While the appeal of these roles varies, they certainly present intriguing opportunities for those looking to leverage their teaching experience in new environments.
A comprehensive list of these job opportunities can be found below.
Detailed Ranking of the Most Common Jobs for Former Substitute Teachers
Most Common Jobs for Former Substitute Teachers
These positions not only reflect the skills and experiences of former substitute teachers but also serve as potential stepping stones to broader career opportunities.
How We Determined the Best Jobs for Former Substitute Teachers
Our analysis utilized data from over 7 million resumes, specifically examining those that included substitute teaching as part of their work history. We identified subsequent job roles they transitioned into, ranking them by frequency.
To curate our list of unique job opportunities, we filtered the data to spotlight positions that:
- Accounted for less than 1% of all new job postings
- Were not included in the top 100 most common jobs identified
By focusing on these criteria, we aimed to present a diverse range of career options for former substitute teachers seeking to embark on new professional journeys.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
