Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
SOC 25-3031 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term is $37,380, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $43,570, and an estimated 444,530 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +27.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +8.1% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 1.6% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $37,380 | $37,380 | 444,530 |
| 2022 | $35,250 | $36,701 | 397,200 |
| 2021 | $30,100 | $33,847 | 374,620 |
| 2020 | $29,370 | $34,578 | 512,030 |
Nominal change
+27.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+8.1%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+1.6%
About average
Employment 2024
510,100
Projected 2034
518,500
Annual Openings
61,100
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $37,380. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $76,850 | +105.6% | 340 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $60,380 | +61.5% | 310 |
| Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $60,230 | +61.1% | 60 |
| Oregon | $60,170 | +61% | 3,990 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $59,330 | +58.7% | 140 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $57,240 | +53.1% | 140 |
| Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $57,240 | +53.1% | 510 |
| California | $54,270 | +45.2% | 72,710 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $54,060 | +44.6% | 210 |
| Washington | $50,830 | +36% | 12,360 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$24,420
25th Pct
$29,880
Median
$37,380
75th Pct
$48,590
90th Pct
$63,140
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Heights Academy | CA | 2 | $61,500 |
| Hope Leadership Academy Charter School | MO | 1 | $40,000 |
| Southwest Preparatory Learning Center | NM | 1 | $44,200 |
| Poudre School District | CO | 1 | $43,722 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Educational Instruction & Library
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.