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Elementary Substitute Teacher Salary in the United States

How much does an Elementary Substitute Teacher make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Elementary Substitute Teacher in the United States is $60,048 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, an Elementary Substitute Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,048
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,896 to $67,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,653
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Elementary Substitute Teacher Salaries

An Elementary Substitute Teacher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Elementary Substitute Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Elementary Substitute Teacher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $59,061
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,343
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $62,748
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $66,026
  • Expert (over 8 years): $66,261
Levels Salary
Entry Level Elementary Substitute Teacher$59,061
Intermediate Level Elementary Substitute Teacher$59,343
Senior Level Elementary Substitute Teacher$62,748
Specialist Level Elementary Substitute Teacher$66,026
Expert Level Elementary Substitute Teacher$66,261
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How Do Elementary Substitute Teacher Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Elementary Substitute Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,485.
  • California: $66,233.
  • Massachusetts: $65,350.

Top Paying Cities for Elementary Substitute Teachers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $75,739
  • San Francisco: $74,909
  • Oakland: $73,331

What Skills Can Increase an Elementary Substitute Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Confidentiality (Mentioned in 7.14% Job Postings): The process of and obligation to apply and enforce rules and practices that ensure that specific types of information are accessible only to those authorized to use it.
  • Adult Learning (Mentioned in 3.57% Job Postings): Adult education is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained self-educating activities in order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 3.57% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
Skills Demand Percentage
Confidentiality 7.14%
Adult Learning 3.57%
Early Childhood Education 3.57%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Elementary Substitute Teacher's salary.

  • Adult Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Human Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Spring: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Adult Learning $66,653
11%
Human Relations $63,050
5%
Spring $62,450
4%
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Elementary Substitute Teacher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Elementary Substitute Teacher roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Elementary Substitute Teacher positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Elementary Substitute Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Elementary Substitute Teacher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$66,053$32.010%
Healthcare$63,050$30.05%

Elementary Substitute Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Elementary Substitute Teacher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$49,896
Average $60,048/year
$67,900
$4,158
Average $5,004/month
$5,658
$960
Average $1,155/week
$1,306
$24
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,900 $5,658 $1,306 $33
Average $60,048 $5,004 $1,155 $29
25th Percentile $49,896 $4,158 $960 $24

Most common benefits for Elementary Substitute Teacher

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Elementary Substitute Teacher

Here are companies hiring for Elementary Substitute Teacher and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Elementary Substitute Teacher

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Elementary Substitute Teacher?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Elementary Substitute Teacher roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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