Substitute Teacher, Short-Term Salary in Alabama (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Alabama, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$25,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-39% vs US median
US median $41,670
State Rank
#47 of 50
9,290 employed here

How much does a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in Alabama?

A Substitute Teacher, Short-Term working in Alabama earns a median salary of $25,340 per year, or about $12.18 per hour. That is 39% below the national median of $41,670 for this occupation.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $18,170 while the top 10% make $30,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,060 and $30,020 a year.

Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$18,170$8.74
25th percentile (early career)$23,060$11.09
50th percentile (median)$25,340$12.18
75th percentile (experienced)$30,020$14.43
90th percentile (top earners)$30,020$14.43

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories for Substitute Teacher, Short-Term pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$66,920
2California$60,300
3Hawaii$58,530
4Oregon$58,280
5Washington$55,740

Working as a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term in Alabama

Nationally, about 525,000 people work as Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($25,340) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in Alabama?
The median Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary in Alabama is $25,340 per year, or about $12.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $18,170 at the entry level to $30,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Substitute Teachers, Short-Term about 39% less than the national median of $41,670. Alabama ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $25,340 a year. About 9,290 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.