Step in for absent teachers, follow their lesson plans, and keep a class on track for a day or longer.
You may also see this posted as: Building Sub (Building Substitute), Short-Term Sub Teacher (Short-Term Substitute Teacher), Sub (Substitute), Sub Teacher (Substitute Teacher), Building Sub Teacher (Building Substitute Teacher), Child Development Sub Teacher (Child Development Substitute Teacher).
Public and private schools, all grades
On-call daytime work, day by day
Social
helping, teaching, caring for, or supporting other people
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Artistic
creating, designing, performing, or working without a rigid script
O*NET job zone 4 of 5
High preparation—usually a four-year degree plus experience—is common.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
BLS estimates 5% of workers in this occupation are self-employed.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: Bachelor's degree, permit varies.
Related work experience: None.
On-the-job training: None.
Most states require a substitute teaching permit or license.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Flexible, on-call work good for a foot in the classroom door, but income is irregular and rarely full-time.
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Browse verified internships, fellowships, and programs — many paid — that lead into fields like this.
Free resume templates, interview practice, and getting-hired guides in the Careers kit.
Standard Occupational Classification 25-3031. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.