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The differences between substitute teachers and certified teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified teacher has an average salary of $50,708, which is higher than the $32,904 average annual salary of a substitute teacher.
The top three skills for a substitute teacher include kids, math and help support. The most important skills for a certified teacher are math, mathematics, and kids.
| Substitute Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $32,904 | $50,708 |
| Hourly rate | $15.82 | $24.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 69,292 | 92,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
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.
Substitute teachers and certified teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substitute Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Average salary | $32,904 | $50,708 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $45,000 | Between $37,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Danbury, CT |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Ethical Culture Fieldston School | Universal Health Services |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a substitute teacher and a certified teacher in terms of educational background:
| Substitute Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between substitute teachers' and certified teachers' demographics:
| Substitute Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8% | Male, 25.6% Female, 74.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |