Kelly Services substitute teaching pay.

Whether you are a substitute teacher or a school district looking to partner with us, we often answer questions about Kelly Services substitute teaching pay. At Kelly Education, we believe it’s important to be transparent about how pay rates are set.  

In this article, we’ll explore factors that may determine pay, how different school districts approach pay, how much money substitute teachers typically make, and the benefits you can receive working with Kelly Education. 

How does Kelly Services substitute teaching pay work?

Kelly Education hires substitute teachers to fill more than five million classrooms across the United States each year. It’s meaningful work that makes a difference in communities, and it’s important to us that our educators are competitively-compensated for their work. 

Kelly Education doesn’t determine how much substitute teachers make. Individual school districts set pay rates. However, Kelly does provide district partners with a local compensation analysis, so they have a current view of competitive pay rates in their market. 

Factors that may play into determining substitute teacher pay: 

• District pay rate: Each school district sets its own pay rate for substitute teachers. This rate may change from one year to the next. 

• Cost of living in the county or district area: Some school districts set starting substitute teacher pay rates at minimum wage, while others offer a higher starting salary. In areas with a higher cost of living (such as metropolitan areas), school districts may offer a higher base/starting pay rate for substitute teachers than districts in areas with a lower cost of living. 

• Hourly vs. per diem pay structure: Hourly or daily pay depends on the district’s pay structure. A district may also offer substitute teaching jobs for portions of the day, such as half-days. 

• Local and state tax factors: Tax rates can affect take-home pay and can cause pay to differ slightly from paycheck to paycheck, even when the same number of days or hours are worked in a week. 

• Education level: Some school districts offer higher substitute teacher pay rates for teachers with master’s or doctorate degrees. 

• Prior experience: A school district may offer a higher pay rate for those who have previous classroom teaching experience or have previously worked as a substitute teacher. 

Are substitute teachers salaried workers?

The short answer: not usually. Most substitute teachers work on an hourly or daily pay basis. While this is the way the vast majority of substitute teachers are paid. 

Note that long-term and building substitute teachers may earn a higher pay rate. Building substitute teachers work at the same school building each day, providing relief for teachers during meetings, filling in for teachers who are out sick, or additional support where needed in the building. 

Long-term substitute teachers cover when classroom teachers go on extended leave, such as maternity leave, need to take time off for family reasons, go on sabbatical, etc. Long-term substitutes may also be hired when a school district struggles to find a classroom teacher and needs someone to fill in until the position is filled. It’s rare, but these long-term substitute teachers could be hired as building substitute teachers and offered a salary by the district. 

How much money do substitute teachers make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 mean hourly wage for substitute teachers was $20.29, while the mean annual wage for substitute teachers was $43,570. Substitute teaching annual wages are highest in Wisconsin ($69,730), Connecticut ($62,510), Oregon ($59,240), California ($56,240), and North Dakota ($52,180). Your Kelly Services substitute teaching pay can vary greatly depending on your geographic location. 

It’s important to note that substitute teacher pay rates can change and differ within districts in the same county. Searching for more information about substitute teacher pay rates in your area can give you a general idea of what you can expect. However, it’s smart to contact the district directly to learn more. 

Flexibility: a priceless benefit.

For many substitute teachers, career flexibility is a valuable perk. As a substitute teacher, you’re able to enjoy a meaningful career that makes a difference, as well as the following: 

• Choose when you want to work weeks in advance, or check the scheduling system in the morning. 

• Complete your work before the end of normal business hours, allowing you plenty of time to run errands, enjoy hobbies, and spend time with friends and family. 

• Leave your work at work. Substitute teachers are not typically responsible for lesson planning or grading (unless you’re working as a long-term substitute teacher). 

• Gain experience that can bolster your resume if you decide that you’d like to move into classroom teaching. 

Kelly Education: your substitute teaching support team.

Most substitute teaching roles are flexible and do not require a set work schedule, so typically benefits are not offered. However, at Kelly Education, we believe in helping educators who are committed to making a difference as substitute teachers.  

In addition to Kelly-sponsored ACA health coverage, Kelly Education substitute teachers are offered individual voluntary options that include: 

• Vision coverage 
• Dental coverage 
• Telemedicine 
• Critical illness coverage 
• Short-term disability 
• Life insurance 
• Accident insurance 

Our substitute teachers are also eligible for: 

• Corporate discounts 
• Holiday pay plan 
• Complimentary employee well-being program 
• Access to retirement savings plans

Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education. 

You’re ready to make a difference — we’re here to help. At Kelly Education, we believe in helping our substitute teachers become the best educators for students. We support our substitute teachers every step of the way. To get started, check out these articles from our fully stocked resource library: 

• A complete guide to becoming a substitute teacher 
• What not to do as a substitute teacher 
• Classroom management for substitute teachers 

If you are ready to make a difference with flexible work that matters, the Kelly Education team is here to help you explore your options. Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher with one of our school district partners.

I’m interested