Post job

Substitute instructor vs substitute teacher

The differences between substitute instructors and substitute teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a substitute instructor has an average salary of $36,159, which is higher than the $32,904 average annual salary of a substitute teacher.

The top three skills for a substitute instructor include kids, classroom management and mathematics. The most important skills for a substitute teacher are kids, math, and help support.

Substitute instructor vs substitute teacher overview

Substitute InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Yearly salary$36,159$32,904
Hourly rate$17.38$15.82
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs67,75269,292
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a substitute instructor do?

A substitute instructor is in charge of managing and facilitating classroom activities while the teacher or instructor is not around. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the teacher they're substituting for to have insights into the current progress of lessons, recording student attendance, conducting discussions and assessments, preparing different activities, and overseeing the progress of students. Furthermore, a substitute instructor must prepare reports for the teacher and implement the school policies and regulations, all to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for students.

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.

Substitute instructor vs substitute teacher salary

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

Substitute InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Average salary$36,159$32,904
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $46,000Between $23,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyErie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCESEthical Culture Fieldston School
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between substitute instructor and substitute teacher education

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

Substitute InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Substitute instructor vs substitute teacher demographics

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

Substitute InstructorSubstitute Teacher
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 37.7% Female, 62.3%Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 substitute instructor and substitute teacher duties and responsibilities

Substitute instructor example 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.
  • Prepare class materials such as PowerPoint presentations and handouts.
  • Tutor ages 16-mid 50's desiring to obtain their GED
  • 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

Substitute instructor vs substitute teacher skills

Common substitute instructor skills
  • Kids, 20%
  • Classroom Management, 14%
  • Mathematics, 11%
  • Literature, 9%
  • Syllabus, 8%
  • Math, 6%
Common substitute teacher skills
  • Kids, 19%
  • Math, 15%
  • Help Support, 14%
  • Language Arts, 12%
  • ESL, 12%
  • Social Studies, 12%

Browse education, training, and library jobs