Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in Massachusetts
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Massachusetts earn a median of $41,350 a year ($19.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,930 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $41,670. Massachusetts ranks 16th of 50 states for substitute teachers, Short-Term pay. There are 2.3 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $45,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 25th percentile | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Median | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| 75th percentile | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Average (mean) | $45,830 | $22.04 |
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 | $3,445.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,722.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,590.38 |
| Weekly | $795.19 |
| Hourly | $19.88 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $45,510 | 2,780 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $43,900 | 210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $42,080 | 5,450 |
| Springfield, MA | $41,350 | 570 |
| Worcester, MA | $38,460 | 940 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $37,390 | 310 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $36,560 | 280 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Tutor | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $100,610 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $39,380 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $94,000 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $95,260 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $89,450 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $134,520 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $91,350 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $83,890 | — |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Massachusetts is $41,350 a year, or $19.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in Massachusetts earn at least $58,930 a year. The top 25% earn $48,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,590 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $36,600 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in Massachusetts?
About 8,410 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.