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Substitute teacher salary in Illinois

Updated October 31, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Published by Humblebee.

$39,410median pay per year in Illinois, or $18.95 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $31,200lowest 10% earn less
  2. $34,50025th percentile
  3. $39,410median
  4. $46,71075th percentile
  5. $58,040top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[2]US median for this job, $41,670[3]

The median pay for substitute teachers in Illinois was $39,410 a year[1]. That was lower than the US median[6].

Jobs in IL
17,220[4]
Rank by median pay
18 of 50[5]
Compared with US median
−5.4%[6]

How much do substitute teachers make in Illinois?

Half of the substitute teachers in Illinois earned more than $39,410 a year and half earned less[1]. The average was a bit higher at $43,430[7]. Across the US, the median was $41,670[3], so Illinois sat $2,260 (5.4%) lower[6]. Illinois had the 18th highest median among the 49 states and DC with a published median[5]. For all jobs in the state, the median was $51,960[8], and substitute teachers were $12,550 lower[9].

The lowest-paid 10% of substitute teachers in Illinois earned less than $31,200[2]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $58,040[2]. The middle half earned between $34,500 and $46,710[2].

By metro area, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area had the highest median at $43,460[10]. Champaign-Urbana, IL had a median of $42,270[11]. Peoria, IL had a median of $31,200[11].

OEWS counts wage and salary workers, both part-time and full-time. It leaves out the self-employed and does not count bonuses or the cost of benefits like health insurance[12].

Illinois vs US pay

Pay for substitute teachers in Illinois next to the national figures[1][3].

ILUS
Median per year$39,410[1]$41,670[3]
Median per hour$18.95[1]$20.03[3]
Lowest 10% earn less than$31,200[2]$28,560[13]
Top 10% earn more than$58,040[2]$65,790[13]
Jobs17,220[4]524,770[3]

Pay by metro area in Illinois

Metro areas in Illinois with the most jobs for substitute teachers, and the median pay in each[11]. A metro area that crosses state lines is counted as a whole.

Metro areaMedian per yearJobs
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN[11]$43,46011,110
St. Louis, MO-IL$35,9006,180
Peoria, IL$31,2001,100
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL$36,850990
Rockford, IL$37,000580
Bloomington, IL$36,330450
Champaign-Urbana, IL$42,270360
Springfield, IL$35,620210

Pay in nearby states

Median pay for substitute teachers in the states that border Illinois, highest first[14].

StateMedian per yearJobs
Wisconsin[14]$43,9508,420
Iowa$37,2307,300
Indiana$36,3609,920
Missouri$34,79011,480
Kentucky$29,730320

Median pay for substitute teachers in every state

Job outlook and training

Across the US, jobs for substitute teachers are projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035[15]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: bachelor's degree[16].

How to become one: steps, training and duties

Frequently asked questions

How much does a substitute teacher make in Illinois?
The median was $39,410 a year[1]. The average was $43,430[7].
How much does a substitute teacher make an hour in Illinois?
The median was $18.95 an hour[1].
Which city in Illinois pays substitute teachers the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had the highest median annual wage, $43,460[10].
Is Illinois a good state for substitute teachers?
Illinois had the 18th highest median annual wage out of the 49 states and DC with a published median[5]. Its median was $2,260 (5.4%) lower than the US median[6].
What do you need to become a substitute teacher in Illinois?
This is a US figure. Across the US, the typical education for entry is a Bachelor's degree, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training[16].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Illinois was $39,410 per year and $18.95 per hour. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Illinois: 10th percentile $31,200, 25th percentile $34,500, 75th percentile $46,710, 90th percentile $58,040. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the US as a whole was $41,670 per year and $20.03 per hour, with about 524,770 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 17,220 people worked as Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Illinois (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: Illinois had the 18th highest median annual wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term out of the 49 states and DC with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Illinois ($39,410) was $2,260 (5.4%) lower than the US median ($41,670). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Illinois was $43,430 per year and $20.88 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in Illinois was $51,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Illinois was $12,550 lower than the median for all occupations in the state ($51,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 11 metro areas in or partly in Illinois with a published median for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had the highest median annual wage, $43,460. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the US: 10th percentile $28,560, 25th percentile $34,170, 75th percentile $54,890, 90th percentile $65,790. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in states that border Illinois (highest first): Wisconsin $43,950; Iowa $37,230; Indiana $36,360; Missouri $34,790; Kentucky $29,730. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Substitute Teachers, Short-Term is projected to grow 2% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 65,000 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
  16. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), typical path into Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections

State figures cover only Illinois. Job outlook and entry requirements are national (US) figures: BLS does not publish them by state in our sources. Figures labelled “CareerFacts calculation” are simple differences between the BLS numbers shown.