Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Career Overview

Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.

Also Known As

• Building Sub (Building Substitute)
• Short-Term Sub Teacher (Short-Term Substitute Teacher)
• Sub (Substitute)
• Sub Teacher (Substitute Teacher)

Alternate Job Titles

• Building Sub (Building Substitute)
• Building Sub Teacher (Building Substitute Teacher)
• Certified Sub Teacher (Certified Substitute Teacher)
• Child Development Sub Teacher (Child Development Substitute Teacher)
• Classroom Sub Teacher (Classroom Substitute Teacher)
• Elementary Sub Teacher (Elementary Substitute Teacher)
• English Sub Teacher (English Substitute Teacher)
• ESL Sub (English as a Second Language Substitute)
• HS Sub Teacher (High School Substitute Teacher)
• K-12 Sub Teacher (Kindergarten to 12th Grade Substitute Teacher)
• K-12 Substitute Teacher (K-12 Sub Teacher)
• Pre-School Sub Teacher (Pre-School Substitute Teacher)
• School Sub Teacher (School Substitute Teacher)
• Short-Term Sub Teacher (Short-Term Substitute Teacher)
• Sub (Substitute)

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.
• Answer students' questions.
• Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
• Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
• Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.
• Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.
• Tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Provide teachers with notes summarizing the day's activities and feedback on any issues or events that occurred.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• English Language

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Active Listening
3. Speaking

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Near Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Problem Sensitivity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cooperation
• Social Orientation
• Empathy
• Optimism

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook

Work Environment

• Contact With Others
• Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
• Freedom to Make Decisions
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$26,240
Median	$38,470
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$63,460

Workers Employed Nationally: 481,300

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.