Guide
How Much Do Substitute Teachers Make? Pay by District
Published
Substitute teachers in 28 large districts we checked earn a median of $125 a day at the entry rate. Seattle Public Schools in Washington starts highest at $275.45 a day, and Fort Bend ISD in Texas starts lowest at $85.
Most districts pay more for a degree, a teaching license or a long assignment. The top rate in a district can be far above its entry rate.
Key Takeaways
- The median entry day rate across 28 districts is $125.
- 7 of 28 districts start at $150 a day or more.
- 7 more districts pay substitutes by the hour, from $15 to $27.867.
- Long-term subs earn more in 13 of the districts with daily rates.
Highest substitute teacher entry day rates
Substitute teacher pay per day by district
The entry rate is the lowest full-day rate a district pays a substitute teacher. The top rate is usually for licensed teachers, retirees or subs with many days worked.
Each district page shows the source and pay notes. Rates marked "Not stated" come from district pages that give no school year.
Districts that pay substitutes by the hour
These districts set an hourly rate instead of a day rate. Multiply by the hours in your assignment to estimate a day's pay.
| District | State | Starting hourly rate | School year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma Public Schools | Washington | $27.867 | 2026-27 |
| Fairfax County Public Schools | Virginia | $21.86 | Not stated |
| Montgomery County Public Schools | Maryland | $21.63 | 2026-27 |
| Houston ISD | Texas | $20 | 2025-26 |
| Baltimore County Public Schools | Maryland | $18 | 2026-27 |
| School District of Palm Beach County | Florida | $15.50 | Not stated |
| Broward County Public Schools | Florida | $15 | Not stated |
Long-term substitute pay
A long-term sub covers the same class for weeks or months. Districts usually raise the day rate after a set number of days in one assignment.
| District | State | Entry day rate | Long-term day rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas ISD | Texas | $110 | $234.60 |
| Orange County Public Schools | Florida | $120 | $188.78 |
| Katy ISD | Texas | $105 | $170 |
| Prince George's County Public Schools | Maryland | $150 | $213.75 |
| Tulsa Public Schools | Oklahoma | $90 | $140 |
| Fort Worth ISD | Texas | $115 | $150 |
| Fort Bend ISD | Texas | $85 | $120 |
| Chandler Unified School District | Arizona | $170 | $200 |
| Gilbert Public Schools | Arizona | $125 | $150 |
| Gwinnett County Public Schools | Georgia | $130 | $150 |
| Clark County School District | Nevada | $110 | $130 |
| Northside ISD | Texas | $110 | $130 |
| Lake Washington School District | Washington | $227.78 | $234.99 |
Dallas ISD pays certified long-term subs $234.60 a day after 30 days. In Katy ISD, degreed long-term subs earn $170 a day and certified long-term subs $195.
What raises a substitute's day rate
- A teaching license. Wake County Public School System pays non-certified subs $120 a day and licensed subs $142.
- A degree. Oklahoma City Public Schools pays $100 with a high school diploma, $110 with a bachelor's degree and $120 for certified teachers.
- Days worked. Seattle Public Schools raises the day rate from $275.45 to $320.11 after 90 days in the year.
- Hard-to-fill schools. Clark County School District pays up to $170 a day at early-hire and Title I schools, against a standard $110.
- Monday and Friday shifts. Gilbert Public Schools pays $150 on Mondays and Fridays and $125 midweek.
How substitute pay compares with teacher pay
A full-time teacher on a district salary schedule earns benefits and a yearly salary. A day-to-day sub is paid only for days worked, so annual earnings depend on how often you take jobs.
To compare, open a district page and check its starting teacher salary next to its sub rate. Our guide to teacher pay per hour converts schedules to hourly and monthly figures.
Figures come from the official salary schedules linked on our state and district pages. Districts revise schedules, so confirm the school year and placement rules with the official source before you rely on a number.