SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$62,340

Median annual salary

1,393,310 employed nationally

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

$38,470

Median annual salary

481,300 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $23,870 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 62.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationSubstitute Teachers, Short-TermDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$26,240+$20,200
25th Percentile$50,680$31,310+$19,370
Median (50th)$62,340$38,470+$23,870
75th Percentile$79,410$51,930+$27,480
90th Percentile$102,010$63,460+$38,550
Mean (Average)$69,790$44,930+$24,860

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

481,300

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

CityMedian
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$100,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$99,780
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$98,890
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$98,270

Best Cities for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

CityMedian
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: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,870 (62.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries range from $46,440 (10th percentile) to $102,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
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 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 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 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education has a median salary of $62,340 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