Retail Salespersons vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals earn $3,890 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 11.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Retail Salespersons earns $47,930 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$25,600$63,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Retail Salespersons | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $26,240 | $-640 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,140 | $31,310 | $-2,170 |
| Median (50th) | $34,580 | $38,470 | $-3,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,850 | $51,930 | $-14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,930 | $63,460 | $-15,530 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,150 | $44,930 | $-7,780 |
Employment Numbers
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
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: Retail Salespersons or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,890 (11.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
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 Retail Salespersons and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Retail Salespersons has a median salary of $34,580 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