Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in Washington
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Washington earn a median of $55,740 a year ($26.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,700 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $41,670. Washington ranks 5th of 50 states for substitute teachers, Short-Term pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.2 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| 25th percentile | $51,120 | $24.58 |
| Median | $55,740 | $26.80 |
| 75th percentile | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| Average (mean) | $56,480 | $27.15 |
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 | $4,645 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,322.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,143.85 |
| Weekly | $1,071.92 |
| Hourly | $26.80 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $61,260 | 230 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,190 | 4,110 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,070 | 7,220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $55,950 | 450 |
| Bellingham, WA | $55,740 | 600 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $54,350 | 290 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $53,610 | 150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $52,000 | 1,110 |
| Yakima, WA | $51,490 | 710 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,060 | 280 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $45,050 | 750 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $45,050 | 320 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Tutor | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $77,720 | — |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $49,120 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $102,350 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,670 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,140 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,960 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $97,250 | $46.76 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,520 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $101,180 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Washington is $55,740 a year, or $26.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Washington?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in Washington earn at least $67,700 a year. The top 25% earn $60,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,790 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $51,120 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in Washington?
About 14,820 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.