Medical Assistants vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical Assistants professionals earn $5,730 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 14.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical Assistants earns $57,830 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$63,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical Assistants | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,020 | $26,240 | +$8,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,610 | $31,310 | +$6,300 |
| Median (50th) | $44,200 | $38,470 | +$5,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,160 | $51,930 | $-3,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,830 | $63,460 | $-5,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,720 | $44,930 | $-210 |
Employment Numbers
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Best Cities for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Medical Assistants or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Medical Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,730 (14.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
What is the salary range for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Medical Assistants and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 793,460 Medical Assistants positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Medical Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical Assistants has a median salary of $44,200 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS