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

What is a substitute teachers aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Sarah Donovan

A substitute teacher aide is hired to assist classroom teachers in performing their tasks. This includes evaluating the progress and needs of students. He/She ensures the progress of education by assisting lead classroom teachers. He/She assists the students in every possible way. Also, he/she may work in paraprofessional positions to support the behavior and academic needs of the students. Additionally, he/she provides on-call support to assist students in achieving academic success. Asides from that, he/she is responsible for the care, supervision, and safety of the classroom.

Employers seek applicants with a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some employers prefer a bachelor's degree. You may be required to have a valid driver's license and social security card. You must possess communication and interpersonal skills. Substitute teacher aides make an average salary of $24,590 per year, equivalent to an hourly rate of $11.82. It varies from $22,000 to $27,000.

What general advice would you give to a substitute teachers aide?

Dr. Sarah Donovan

Assistant Professor of Secondary Education English, Oklahoma State University

A career in education begins during an accredited teacher preparation program as you cultivate a network of colleagues among peers, professors, and state and national professional organizations. Becoming a teacher is about building content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge, so accredited programs offer opportunities to observe and practice teacher in classrooms with the support of qualified, experienced mentors and faculty members.
The first year on the job, it is essential to keep open lines of communication with the colleagues and faculty with whom you've developed professional relationships so that they can offer you support and critical conversations as you navigate the new teaching context. This is also when your connections to professional networks will be vital as you will have many sites, people, and resources to draw on to support your practice.

ScoreSubstitute Teachers AideUS Average

Salary

2.1

Avg. Salary $27,488

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.5

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.31%

Asian 8.57%

Black or African American 9.22%

Hispanic or Latino 17.62%

Unknown 4.54%

White 58.74%

Gender

female 85.18%

male 14.82%

Age - 45

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 - 45

Stress level

4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

3.7

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a substitute teachers aide

Explore substitute teachers aide education requirements

Most common substitute teachers aide degrees

Bachelor's

48.7 %

Associate

25.0 %

High School Diploma

13.8 %

Start to develop specific substitute teachers aide skills

Skills	Percentages
CPR	14.45%
Classroom Management	13.97%
Mathematics	7.61%
K-12	6.80%
Classroom Environment	6.39%

Gain additional substitute teachers aide certifications

Substitute teachers aide certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific substitute teachers aide certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for substitute teachers aides include Advanced First Aid & CPR and First Aid Certification.

More About Certifications

Research substitute teachers aide duties and responsibilities

Help ESL students achieve their academic goals while they learn a new language and adapt to a new community and culture.
Substitute teacher and aide for all ages from Pre-K to high school
Aid classroom teachers in executing each student's IEP and evaluating students' needs and progress.
Assist lead and assistant teachers with implementing lesson plans and IEP goals for each individual student in their classrooms.

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