Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in Columbia, SC
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $39,250 a year ($18.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,580 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $41,670. Pay here is 29% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $30,400. There are 2.0 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $57,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,220 | $11.16 |
| 25th percentile | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| Median | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| 75th percentile | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Average (mean) | $57,200 | $27.50 |
Half of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,270.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,635.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,509.62 |
| Weekly | $754.81 |
| Hourly | $18.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $42,640 | 1,180 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $34,930 | 2,680 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $32,010 | 2,570 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $26,890 | n/a |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $24,800 | 360 |
| Sumter, SC | $22,050 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for substitute teachers, Short-Term
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 |
| California | $60,300 |
| Hawaii | $58,530 |
| Oregon | $58,280 |
| Washington | $55,740 |
| Minnesota | $50,390 |
| District of Columbia | $49,790 |
| West Virginia | $49,020 |
| Maryland | $46,470 |
| Rhode Island | $45,590 |
See Substitute Teachers, Short-Term pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $62,330 | — |
| Tutor | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,050 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,280 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $27,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $59,400 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $80,010 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,860 | $38.39 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,890 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in the Columbia, SC metro area is $39,250 a year, or $18.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $107,580 a year. The top 25% earn $107,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,220 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $28,620 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in Columbia, SC?
About 770 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.