Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between substitute teachers and head teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head teacher has an average salary of $51,715, 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 head teacher are classroom management, child care, and creative curriculum.
| Substitute Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $32,904 | $51,715 |
| Hourly rate | $15.82 | $24.86 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 69,292 | 73,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| 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 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.
Substitute teachers and head teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substitute Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Average salary | $32,904 | $51,715 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $45,000 | Between $32,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Ethical Culture Fieldston School | Grand View Health |
| Best paying industry | Education | Retail |
There are a few differences between a substitute teacher and a head teacher in terms of educational background:
| Substitute Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between substitute teachers' and head teachers' demographics:
| Substitute Teacher | Head Teacher | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8% | Male, 13.8% Female, 86.2% |
| 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, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |