Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in Iowa
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Iowa earn a median of $37,230 a year ($17.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,770 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $41,670. Iowa ranks 26th of 50 states for substitute teachers, Short-Term pay. There are 4.7 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,980 | $14.90 |
| 25th percentile | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Median | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 75th percentile | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,770 | $22.96 |
| Average (mean) | $39,200 | $18.85 |
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 | $3,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,431.92 |
| Weekly | $715.96 |
| Hourly | $17.90 |
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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,530 | 360 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,440 | 1,240 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,750 | 1,780 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,850 | 990 |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,850 | 470 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,710 | 650 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $36,440 | 400 |
| Ames, IA | $36,330 | 260 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Tutor | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $54,080 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,510 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,580 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,200 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,450 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,490 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $60,440 | — |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $58,440 | $28.09 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $60,780 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Iowa is $37,230 a year, or $17.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Iowa?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in Iowa earn at least $47,770 a year. The top 25% earn $39,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,980 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $36,330 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in Iowa?
About 7,300 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.