How to Become a Substitute Teacher (As a Side Hustle)

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

Where do substitute teachers work?

Substitute teachers can work in various contexts:

• Public schools: Substitute teachers often work in multiple schools within a particular public school district. They’re often hired on a part-time or as-needed basis, with terms varying from a single day to several weeks (or even longer in special cases).
• Private schools: Like public schools, private schools often hire short-term or part-time substitute teachers.
• Education staffing agencies: Agencies like Kelly Education, Carney Sandoe & Associates, and ESS Education recruit substitute teachers to work in private and public schools (and sometimes in other institutions).
• Online: Some schools enlist substitute teachers to work online. If you want to do this, you can apply to a company like Connections Academy or Proximity Learning, both of which specialize in virtual learning.

In general, this side hustle is best suited for people who have at least a bachelor’s degree. In most places, any degree will do—it doesn’t necessarily need to be a teaching degree.

That said, if you do have a degree in early childhood development, elementary education, or something similar (or if you have prior experience as a teacher), you’re a great fit for this job, and you’ll have more options open to 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.

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 schools of interest

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.

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. Consider getting a license, a certification, 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.

If you want to take on a lot of substitute teaching work and turn this into your new career, it might be worthwhile to invest the time and resources into boosting your qualifications.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a casual or short-term side hustle, this might not be worthwhile. Instead, you should look for positions with more relaxed hiring requirements.

3. Consider getting teaching experience

If you haven’t spent time teaching before, it may be difficult to get substitute teaching work. Look for ways to get classroom experience before you apply for jobs. This doesn’t have to consist of teaching in a public school (which, if you don’t have a teaching license, isn’t a practical option).

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. Ask your current or former employer to help you with this.

Needless to say, references from jobs that relate to teaching are ideal, but in a pinch, a supervisor from any of your past jobs will do. If you have little or no work experience, you can ask a former teacher, coach, or instructor for a reference.

5. Apply for jobs

You can find substitute teaching jobs on platforms like Indeed, Monster, or ZipRecruiter. Apply for more than one at a time to improve your chances of getting a response.

As mentioned, 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 contact local schools and ask to be put on the list of subs that they enlist when needed.

Preparing your application documents

When you apply for a job, 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, remember to include any auxiliary documents that are required for your application. For example, you may be asked for a copy of your ID, your diploma or transcript (either from high school or college), and references.

6. Get a background check and a physical health check

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

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.

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.

7. Complete any training you’re required to do

Some school districts have training programs that substitute teachers must complete before they’re allowed to begin working. This training might cover the topics below:

• Classroom management
• Instructional and student engagement strategies
• School policies and procedures
• Legal and ethical considerations that teachers need to be aware of

Once you complete your training, you’re all set. All you have to do is wait to be assigned to your first class.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substitute teachers earn an average of $20.52 per hour, with most earning in the range of $10–$30 per hour. 1

These figures are only applicable to short-term substitute teachers—a role that the BLS defines as “a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher’s lesson plan.” In contrast, long-term substitute teachers are expected to “perform all the duties of a regular teacher.”

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. 1
• 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.

Substitute teaching can be a great side hustle, especially for people with teaching experience. It has several perks:

• You can do it on a freelance basis: 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 future jobs in the educational field.
• Minimal startup costs: If you already have the qualifications you need, substitute teaching barely involves any startup costs.

How to know if you’d be a good substitute teacher

Although substitute teaching can be a rewarding job, it’s not always an easy one.

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.

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.