Data Scientists vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $74,120 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 192.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $26,240 | +$37,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $31,310 | +$51,320 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $38,470 | +$74,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $51,930 | +$103,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $63,460 | +$130,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $44,930 | +$79,660 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $74,120 (192.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Data Scientists and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS