How To Become A Substitute Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a substitute instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Rodney Foster

A substitute instructor is an educational professional who manages and facilitates learning activities for students in a classroom environment while the regular teacher or instructor is absent. A substitute instructor is responsible for overseeing regular learning activities and curriculum as set by the regular instructor administers tests, assigns papers and tasks, and oversees the overall progress of students.

Substitute instructors are responsible for continuing the education of students and following the regular teacher's lesson plans and protocols. A substitute instructor must also follow and implement school policies and regulations

Although an advanced degree is not required to become a substitute instructor, most employers and school districts do require at least a high school diploma or equivalent, several hours of training, and a background check. A substitute instructor should possess strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and teaching skills, and should be comfortable working with students of various ages and capabilities. These individuals should also be somewhat knowledgeable about the subjects that they cover while the regular instructor is away. A substitute instructor can make up to $37,000 per year, and the field is expected to grow 3% by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a substitute instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreSubstitute InstructorUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $36,159

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 7.91%

Black or African American 10.78%

Hispanic or Latino 16.92%

Unknown 5.92%

White 57.97%

Gender

female 62.28%

male 37.72%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Key steps to become a substitute instructor

Explore substitute instructor education requirements

Most common substitute instructor degrees

Bachelor's

58.5 %

Master's

18.3 %

Associate

13.9 %

Start to develop specific substitute instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Kids	19.53%
Classroom Management	14.03%
Mathematics	10.68%
Literature	8.64%
Syllabus	7.73%

Research substitute instructor duties and responsibilities

Manage the classroom environment and help students to learn in the absence of the regular teacher with grades levels k-5.
Develop grade level appropriate curriculum in reading, math, science and social studies.
Provide educational instruction for students grade k-12.
Instruct students in the areas of math and science.

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