Jobs / Education and social services / 25-3031.00

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.

US jobs
524,770
Median wage
$41,670 a year
Job family
Education and social services

Can agents do the work of substitute teachers, short-term?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Education and social services: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 25%Teach academic or vocational subjectsNot measured
  • 16%Monitor individual behavior or performanceNot measured
  • 13%Distribute materials, supplies, or resourcesNot measured
  • 7%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 6%Teach life skillsNot measured
  • 5%Advise others on educational or vocational mattersNot measured
  • 4%Maintain current knowledge in area of expertiseNot measured
  • 4%Coordinate group, community, or public activitiesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in education and social services, not always this occupation's tasks.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

  • GDPvalby OpenAIProject level · Wins plus ties against experts
    84.9%GPT-5.5 · Apr 2026
    Strong
  • TutorMoments-Previewby Ai2Task level · Mean of appropriate scaffolding and appropriate rigor (evaluation-aware prompt)
    0.84Claude Opus 4.8 · 7 Aug 2026
    Strong

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.
  • Answer students' questions.
  • Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
  • Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
  • Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.
  • Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.
  • Tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.
  • Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.
  • Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
  • Teach a variety of subjects, such as English, mathematics, and social studies.
  • Operate equipment such as computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.
  • Counsel students with adjustment or academic problems.
Other job titles for this occupation (25)

Building Sub (Building Substitute) · Building Sub Teacher (Building Substitute Teacher) · Child Development Sub Teacher (Child Development Substitute Teacher) · ESL Sub (English as a Second Language Substitute) · HS Sub Teacher (High School Substitute Teacher) · Pre-School Sub Teacher (Pre-School Substitute Teacher) · Short-Term Sub Teacher (Short-Term Substitute Teacher) · Sub (Substitute) · Sub Teacher (Substitute Teacher) · Certified Sub Teacher (Certified Substitute Teacher) · Classroom Sub Teacher (Classroom Substitute Teacher) · Elementary Sub Teacher (Elementary Substitute Teacher) · English Sub Teacher (English Substitute Teacher) · K-12 Sub Teacher (Kindergarten to 12th Grade Substitute Teacher) · K-12 Substitute Teacher (K-12 Sub Teacher) · School Sub Teacher (School Substitute Teacher) · Sub Aide (Substitute Aide) · Sub Educator (Substitute Educator) · Sub Enrichment Teacher (Substitute Enrichment Teacher) · Sub Instructor (Substitute Instructor) · Sub Para (Substitute Paraprofessional) · Sub TA (Substitute Teacher Assistant) · Sub TA (Substitute Teaching Assistant) · Sub Vocational Instructor (Substitute Vocational Instructor) · Substitute Preschool Teacher (Sub Preschool Teacher)