How to Become a Substitute Teacher

Substitute teachers do almost everything that ordinary teachers do. They often have the following duties:

• Using the regular teacher’s lesson plan or following a set curriculum
• Leading lessons, answering questions, and engaging students in the learning process
• Supervising students, managing their behavior, and enforcing classroom rules
• Assigning classwork and homework
• Administering tests
• Making sure that the classroom is clean and orderly
• Recording attendance
• Writing reports for the regular teacher about what happened during class

With that said, there are a few differences between the duties of a substitute and those of a primary classroom teacher. We spoke to one professional substitute teacher, Kavi Singh, who mentioned that you aren’t expected to attend meetings that the regular teacher would usually attend because they don’t have any implication on your job since you’re only filling in temporarily.

Where do substitute teachers work?

Substitute teachers can work in various types of schools, as shown in the table below.

Schools That Hire Substitute Teachers

One option is working directly with these schools. Alternatively, you can sign up with an agency like Kelly Education, Carney Sandoe & Associates, or ESS Education. These companies recruit substitute teachers to work in private and public schools (and sometimes in other institutions).

As a substitute teacher, the duration of an assignment can vary widely from one gig to the next. In Singh’s case, the shortest period he ever subbed for was a mere 3–4 hours, whereas his longest assignment lasted a full month.

In general, this side hustle is best suited for people who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Ideally, you should also have some form of teaching credentials and/or previous experience working with children.

Although these aren’t universal requirements, Singh says the reality is that it’ll be pretty tough to land a substitute teaching gig without some kind of teaching license or certification. “In my experience, substitute teachers need a valid teaching license because the teaching license is tied into the idea of being legally responsible for students’ safety,” he said.

In terms of degree requirements for substitute teachers, any degree will do in many cases—it doesn’t necessarily need to be a teaching degree. That said, a degree in early childhood development, elementary education, or something similar would open up more options for you.

Can you become a substitute teacher without a college degree?

It’s sometimes possible to become a substitute teacher without a degree, but depending on where you live, it might be tricky.

In a few states, such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia, you can become a substitute teacher with just a high school diploma (or GED) and a background check. Check your local laws to be sure.

If you don’t have a degree but you live in a state that requires one, you might still be able to find a job with a private school since these have more leeway than public schools when it comes to hiring. However, it’s still hard to get a private school to hire you if you haven’t been to college.

Required skills and traits

Being a sub requires several key skills. If you possess all of them, you’re probably a good fit for this hustle:

• Patience: All teachers need patience. They have to be able to adjust their approach to deal with students who are struggling to keep up or who just don’t want to cooperate.
• Communication: Communication skills are important for teachers since they need to be able to explain ideas to students and build a good student–teacher rapport.
• Time management: All teachers have to plan and manage their time during lessons so that they can cover all of the material in the allotted time.
• Adaptability: Teachers need to be able to adjust their approach when things don’t go as planned in the classroom. This is especially important for substitute teachers because there’s an element of unpredictability working with new students in unfamiliar environments (often using lesson plans you didn’t prepare yourself).
• Enthusiasm: Students of all ages are usually much more responsive when you have an upbeat and enthusiastic approach.
• Classroom management: This is a particularly important skill if you’re teaching kids or adolescents. Substitute teachers must be able to maintain an orderly classroom and a good learning environment.

How old do you have to be to be a substitute teacher?

The minimum age required to be a substitute teacher depends on your state and school district, but in many places, you have to be 18 years or older.

It may take you a while to get your first job as a substitute teacher, but you’ll save time by understanding where to start and what requirements you need to meet.

1. Research your state and school district requirements

As mentioned, different states and schools have their own requirements for substitute teachers. For example, many positions require prior teaching experience. Some may also require you to have a degree, a teaching license, or other training and qualifications.

“Requirements from a substitute teacher vary a lot from school to school,” Singh said. “Highly reputable good schools will require the substitute to have a teaching related degree and a teaching license. This also depends on the state or federal laws.”

You’ll need to research the place you want to work and see what options you have based on your qualifications and experience level. This will give you an idea which of the steps below you need to take.

2. Get any necessary licenses, certifications, or training

You may find that your options for substitute teaching jobs are limited if you don’t have a teaching license or a degree. Your state’s board of education may even require you to to get a license before you can start substitute teaching.

Depending on where you live, you may need to invest time and resources into boosting your qualifications, regardless of whether you want to sub as a casual or short-term side hustle or build a full-time substitute career. But don’t let this scare you off—the process may be simpler than you think.

For example, although Illinois requires substitute teachers to hold a special substitute license, all you need in order to qualify is a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) or proof that you’re enrolled in an approved educator preparation program. 1 As long as you meet one of those specifications, you can simply fill out an application to get licensed as a substitute teacher.

3. Get some teaching experience

If you’ve never taught before, it can be difficult to get substitute teaching work. Look for ways to get teaching or childcare experience before you apply for jobs.

It goes without saying that if you don’t have a teaching license, getting classroom teaching experience in a public school isn’t a practical option. But there are other routes you can take to build relevant experience that would show employers that you have what it takes to be a good substitute.

For example, you can experiment with a tutoring side hustle, work as a teaching assistant, spend a few months as a camp counselor, or even volunteer. Many organizations offer free English lessons to second-language learners, for instance, and they always need teachers. This experience will make it easier to get references.

4. Collect several references

Many teaching jobs require professional references when you apply. Needless to say, references from jobs that relate to teaching are ideal. Singh says that the best people to ask for references are school leaders, such as principals or vice principals who you have worked with and who have seen you teach.

However, don’t worry if you haven’t taught before. You can also use a supervisor from one of your past jobs or a former teacher, coach, or instructor. “In case you have little or no experience in schools, then your professors from your teacher training program are good choices,” Singh said.

When Singh first started applying for substitute jobs, he chose to use principals from his practice teaching assignment schools as his professional references as well as his practicum supervisor, who was his college professor.

5. Prepare your resume and job application materials

To apply for jobs, you need a resume. If you’re already a classroom teacher, you can use your regular teacher resume. But if you’re new to the game, you’ll need to build a substitute teacher resume.

Before applying for any job, always make sure the resume you send is up-to-date, well organized, easy to read, and free from errors. You should also tailor it to the job in question.

Along with your resume, you may also need supporting documents for job applications. For example, you may be asked for a copy of your ID, your diploma or transcript (either from high school or college), and references. To make sure you’re prepared, gather these materials beforehand.

6. Contact local schools

According to Singh, one of the best ways to get substitute teaching assignments is to contact schools directly. Give them your resume, and ask to be put on the list of subs that they enlist when needed. Visiting in person is ideal, but you can also call or send an email.

“I personally visited schools in my area in person and gave out cards and resumes. This eventually resulted in frequent calls from the same schools,” Singh said. You can also apply to your local public school board.

Other ways to get substitute teaching jobs

There are also agencies, such as Kelly Education, with recruiters who specialize in teaching jobs. They may be able to help you find substitute teaching jobs that aren’t listed on job sites.

Alternatively, you can apply for substitute teaching jobs on job boards. If your school district has one, then this is a better place to look than generic job boards. Just beware that applying on job boards isn’t the best strategy. “A lot of times substitute teaching is not listed as a formal job. Most schools need one but don’t list it as an official job post,” Singh warned.

7. Complete any required training and screening

Once you’ve landed a job, you may need to jump through a few hoops before you can start working:

• Background check: Many schools run background checks on teachers, including substitute teachers, before they start working. This may involve a criminal background check, a review of your previous work history, and other checks to make sure that it’s safe for you to work around children.
• Health check: Some states and school districts also make teachers undergo a physical health check or provide medical documentation to show that they’re physically fit to teach. The health check may include drug tests, general physical fitness assessments, and verification that you’re up-to-date on your immunizations.
• Teacher training: Some school districts have training programs that substitute teachers must complete before they’re allowed to begin working. This training might cover topics like classroom management, instructional and student engagement strategies, school policies and procedures, and legal and ethical considerations.

Once you’ve ticked these final boxes, you’re all set. All you have to do is wait to be assigned to your first class.

Because of the short-term nature of the job, substitute teachers are generally paid by the day rather than by the hour or month. This is because substitute work is viewed as a full-day or half-day job.

According to Singh, pay rates are “determined by the state for public schools and by each individual school for private schools.” For this reason, the pay you’ll be offered can vary from one school to the next.

Pay rates also vary drastically by location. Even within states, you may get higher rates in one school district or county than you would in a neighboring area. The table below summarizes some of these differences, according to substitute teacher salaries reported online.

Substitute Teacher Pay Rates by State

Source: Anonymous self-reported earnings from users on Reddit.

If you’re wondering what this looks like in terms of hourly pay, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that substitute teachers earn an average of $20.52 per hour, with most earning in the range of $10–$30 per hour. 2

Factors affecting your income

As a substitute teacher, your income will depend on several factors:

• Qualifications and experience: More qualified and experienced teachers command higher salaries. Teachers with postgraduate degrees may be paid more than teachers with only bachelor’s degrees, for instance.
• Where you work: Some states and cities have higher average salaries than others. For example, substitute teachers earn an average of $17.10 per hour in Texas but $24.55 per hour in California. 2
• Union agreements: The US has many teaching unions, such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which negotiate minimum salary agreements with certain schools and institutions.
• Assignment duration: You’ll generally get paid more for longer-term assignments than for short-term or one-off subbing gigs.

Although substitute teaching can be a rewarding job, it’s not always an easy one. To help you decide whether you should become a substitute teacher, Singh shared some insight based on his personal experience working as a sub to give you an honest idea of what you can expect from the job.

Top-notch classroom management skills are a must

Classroom management is important in all group learning settings, but it’s even more crucial when a class’s regular teacher isn’t around to keep students in check. Singh pointed out that subs often have a harder time than regular teachers when it comes to managing a classroom because students take substitutes less seriously.

“As someone aspiring to be a substitute teacher, you should have good confidence in managing behavior and have good strategies to deal with different types of situations,” he said. This is where having teaching experience can really help you prepare for a substitute teaching career.

Your impact will be short-term, not long-term

If your number one motivator for teaching is to shape young minds or reform the education system, then you’ll probably be disappointed by a substitute teaching career. Because substitute gigs are usually temporary, your impact on students will generally be isolated to a few hours or days.

“You may not have a long term impact on students’ success, neither should you aim for it. You are temporarily sailing a ship,” Singh pointed out. “Keeping everyone safe and happy is your main objective until the primary captain can be back.”

You’ll be following someone else’s lesson plans

Unless you’re replacing a teacher for a very long period (or indefinitely), designing lesson plans isn’t a responsibility that will fall to you. Instead, the core of your job will be adhering to the plan that the primary teacher has already laid out. According to Singh, this is the main difference between the responsibilities and tasks of a substitute teacher and those of a regular classroom teacher.

You can see this as an advantage of the job—it means less prep work and decision-making. On the flip side, it leaves less room for creativity. Whether this is a pro or con for you depends on your goals and what you’re looking for in a teaching role.

Be prepared to improvise

You are usually given a plan that is already made by the regular classroom teacher, but sometimes the plan is not as detailed, or there is no plan at all. “In those situations, you can improvise,” Singh said.

To prepare for these inevitabilities, you should have what Singh calls a substitute teacher’s toolkit. “It’s a very important resource of activities for different grade levels that you can just implement on the spot in case you find no plan left for you,” he said.

The job varies a lot depending on where you teach

One point that Singh emphasized is how different your experience of substitute teaching can be depending on the type of school. This variation is important to bear in mind since you might not like your first teaching gig, but that doesn’t mean that substitute teaching isn’t for you.

According to Singh, a substitute teaching side hustle is ideal if you’re an adventurous person who’s adaptable, flexible, and comfortable with an unpredictable career where each day is different and you’re always meeting new people. It’s a particularly good option if you already have teaching experience.

If this sounds like you, then you’ll get to enjoy all these perks of a substitute teaching career:

• Flexible scheduling: Although substitute teachers are sometimes employed on a part-time or even full-time basis, many institutions also hire independent contractors or work with an education staffing agency to find subs. Freelancing means less commitment and more flexibility.
• Networking opportunities: Substitute teachers get to work with educators, administrators, and other professionals in different schools and institutions. The connections they make during their teaching assignments can enhance their professional network and open up doors for more permanent positions in the future.
• Lots of work variety: As a substitute, each day will look different. You’ll regularly be working with different kids and teaching new topics, which means the job never gets boring.
• Minimal startup costs: If you already have the qualifications you need, substitute teaching barely involves any startup costs.
• Little lesson planning involved: A substitute is mainly responsible for bridging the gaps while primary teachers are away. This eliminates some of the pressure that regular teachers normally face in terms of designing curricula and planning lessons.

Despite all these benefits of substitute teaching, it’s not always fun or easy. Singh admitted that behavior management can be challenging for substitutes since students won’t take you seriously. Plus, the temporary nature of subbing leads to a lack of job consistency and stability.

Alternatives to substitute teaching as a side hustle

If you like children but don’t have the qualifications to teach in your state—or if you’ve concluded this job isn’t quite right for you—these jobs might make a good alternative side hustle for you:

• Tutor: Tutors work with students one-on-one or in small groups. Tutoring has less strict requirements when it comes to the education and qualifications you need, and it’s also more suitable for people who work normal office hours since tutoring often takes place during the evenings and weekends.
• Teacher’s aide: A teacher’s aide (also known as a teaching assistant) acts as an assistant to a classroom teacher. They’re less likely to need a degree or license than teachers are, and their job also usually has less stress and responsibility.
• Substitute teacher’s aide: As you’d expect, this is someone who replaces a regular teaching assistant when they’re absent.
• Nanny: This is someone who provides childcare, usually in a private household. They look after children—supervising them, feeding them, washing them, and dressing them. Nannies sometimes also help with other household duties related to the children.
• Daycare assistant: This is someone who works in a daycare or childcare center, providing help and support with caring for the children at the center. Daycare assistants are also sometimes known as childcare assistants or childcare aides.

These jobs also provide excellent experience, and if you think you might still be interested in setting up a substitute teaching side hustle in the future, working one of them makes for a great first step.

Combining substitute teaching with other side hustles

Even if you do pursue a substitute teaching career, there’s a good chance you’ll want to try out other side hustles too. The flexible and inconsistent nature of the job makes it a good foundation for a full-time gig worker.

For example, Singh started to work as an Uber driver when he wasn’t actively subbing. “It worked really well because sometimes you don’t know if you will have a job the next day because you can receive jobs at night for the next day or even the morning of for the same day,” he said.

Uber became a good alternative for getting some income on those days when he didn’t end up getting a teaching assignment. “The flexible nature of both jobs allowed me to maximize my time and potential income earned,” he added.

If you do decide to juggle multiple side hustles, choose your extra side gig carefully to ensure it pairs well with substitute teaching and doesn’t interfere with your schedule. App-based gigs like rideshare driving are good options since you can do them on the fly without needing to commit days or weeks in advance.