Highest-Paying Substitute Teacher Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of substitute teachers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of substitute teachers:

• Student Teacher is the highest-paid type of substitute teacher with an average salary of $59,035 and an average hourly rate of $28.38.

• The second highest-paying type of substitute teacher is summer school teacher, with an average salary of $52,828.

• The average substitute teacher salary is $32,904 per year, and the average hourly pay is $15.82.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a substitute teacher, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of substitute teachers are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of substitute teachers:

1. Student Teacher

   Average Salary: $59,035

   A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers’ duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students’ records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

2. Summer School Teacher

   Average Salary: $52,828

   A Summer School Teacher is a teacher who works during the summer period. They develop and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. Generally, they have the same duties as a school teacher.

3. ESL Teacher

   Average Salary: $52,701

   An ESL teacher specializes in teaching the English language to non-native speakers of all ages, usually in a virtual setting. Their responsibilities revolve around devising lesson plans, organizing learning materials, evaluating progress, and coming up with strategies to make learners feel comfortable. Furthermore, they must maintain a healthy and safe learning environment, whether the lessons are in a one-on-one or group setting. When it comes to virtual learning, an ESL teacher must have the necessary equipment, a stable internet connection, and an obstruction-free teaching location.

4. Head Teacher

   Average Salary: $51,715

   A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students’ overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child’s performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students’ needs and support their high-quality performance.

5. Certified Teacher

   Average Salary: $50,708

   A certified teacher is responsible for designing lesson plans and activities for the students by following the curriculum and the students’ learning needs. Certified teachers manage the coordination of the students within the classroom setting, observe their behaviors, and identify their areas of improvement by determining every student’s strengths and weaknesses. They also evaluate the students’ performance and progress by conducting assessments and facilitating engaging activities that would not only help the students develop their mental skills but their social connections as well.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various substitute teacher that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Substitute Teachers

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for substitute teachers.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Substitute Teacher Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid substitute teacher job?

   The highest-paid substitute teacher job is a student teacher. Student Teachers earn an average salary of $59,035, which is $ 28.38 hourly.

   A student-teacher is responsible for assisting their supervising instructors in maintaining the class orderliness during lectures and class activities. Student teachers’ duties include helping with lesson plans, organizing learning activities, managing student behaviors, observing classroom procedures, preparing visual materials and other educational equipment, providing feedback for students, and keeping students’ records for evaluation. A student-teacher must maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills to set goals and make consistent progress to the class while keeping students engaged.

2. What is a good salary for a substitute teacher?

   A good salary for a substitute teacher is $32,904 or more. The average substitute teacher salary is $32,904, so those making at least $32,904 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average substitute teacher salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a substitute teacher, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $32,904 average, as this includes all substitute teachers of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Substitute Teacher jobs pay well?

   No, substitute teacher jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some substitute teacher jobs pay better than others, but the average substitute teacher salary of $32,904 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many substitute teacher jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of substitute teachers earning $0 a year on average.

   Substitute Teachers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a substitute teacher. Do your research on the going rate for a substitute teacher in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do substitute teachers get paid the most?

   Substitute Teachers get paid the most in Arizona. In Arizona, substitute teachers earn an average annual salary of $33,237 and an average hourly wage of $15.98.

   Following AZ, the states with the highest-paid substitute teachers are Nevada, New Mexico, and Michigan, with average annual salaries of $31,047, $30,732, and $30,022 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid substitute teacher salaries are:

   1. San Francisco, CA – $39,574

   2. Phoenix, AZ – $33,290

   3. Las Vegas, NV – $30,975

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.