Registered Nurses vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $55,130 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 143.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Registered Nurses | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,030 | $26,240 | +$39,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,610 | $31,310 | +$47,300 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 | $38,470 | +$55,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,960 | $51,930 | +$56,030 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,320 | $63,460 | +$71,860 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,430 | $44,930 | +$53,500 |
Employment Numbers
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
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: Registered Nurses or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,130 (143.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
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 Registered Nurses and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,282,010 Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Registered Nurses has a median salary of $93,600 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