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Online instructor vs substitute teacher

The differences between online instructors and substitute teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an online instructor has an average salary of $45,114, which is higher than the $32,904 average annual salary of a substitute teacher.

The top three skills for an online instructor include skype, math and zoom. The most important skills for a substitute teacher are kids, math, and help support.

Online instructor vs substitute teacher overview

Online InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Yearly salary$45,114$32,904
Hourly rate$21.69$15.82
Growth rate2%4%
Number of jobs37,21969,292
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an online instructor do?

An Online Instructor teaches remote post-secondary classes through the use of email, discussion pages, and video. They develop a curriculum based on the best knowledge in the field.

What does a substitute teacher do?

Substitute teachers are responsible for filling in the role of regular teachers who will not be able to come to school. They may be engaged short-term or long-term, depending on the need. Substitute teachers should have a deep understanding of the topics that are related to the subject matter and are appropriate to the learning level of the student. They should be able to advance the lessons while the regular teacher is unavailable. At times, they are required to create their own lesson plans. Substitute teachers should have the skills of regular teachers. They should also be flexible and adaptable.

Online instructor vs substitute teacher salary

Online instructors and substitute teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Online InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Average salary$45,114$32,904
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $61,000Between $23,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontAlaska
Best paying companyNew York UniversityEthical Culture Fieldston School
Best paying industryManufacturingEducation

Differences between online instructor and substitute teacher education

There are a few differences between an online instructor and a substitute teacher in terms of educational background:

Online InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Online instructor vs substitute teacher demographics

Here are the differences between online instructors' and substitute teachers' demographics:

Online InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 33.5% Female, 66.5%Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between online instructor and substitute teacher duties and responsibilities

Online instructor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize blackboard management system to encourage online discussions and manage grades.
  • Prepare and deliver instruction to students in topics such as literature, grammar, and writing.
  • Develop course materials such as course calendar, syllabus, handouts, and additional resources for students.
  • Develop rubric syllabus, and introduction materials.
  • Serve as theory instructor for medical-surgical nursing and pharmacology for junior students and leadership and management nursing for senior students.
  • Collaborate with faculty to provide input for student IEP's and PPT meetings.
  • Show more

Substitute teacher example responsibilities.

  • Manage the classroom environment and help students to learn in the absence of the regular teacher with grades levels k-5.
  • Manage substitute teaching responsibilities in elementary and secondary school including ESL and bilingual programs.
  • Lead classroom management activities including attendance while coordinating lesson plan delivery for consumer science, physics and mathematics classes.
  • Maintain effective classroom management contracts and apply advanced math teaching strategies in middle and high school align with common core standards.
  • Substitute teach throughout the district grades k-5.
  • Attend necessary CPR and child care trainings.
  • Show more

Online instructor vs substitute teacher skills

Common online instructor skills
  • Skype, 14%
  • Math, 13%
  • Zoom, 12%
  • Learning Objectives, 10%
  • K-12, 7%
  • Mathematics, 6%
Common substitute teacher skills
  • Kids, 19%
  • Math, 15%
  • Help Support, 14%
  • Language Arts, 12%
  • ESL, 12%
  • Social Studies, 12%

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