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Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term score 36 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #461 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 5 on its own and 3 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

36/ 100
Moderate
Rank
#461of 923 jobs
US workers
524,770BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$41,670a year
In real AI use
5 of 18tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

  • AI can speed this up on its own: 5 (28%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 3 (17%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 10 (56%)
  • Answer students' questions.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
  • Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.AI can speed this up on its own
  • Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.AI can speed this up on its own
  • Operate equipment such as computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.AI can speed this up on its own
  • Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.AI can speed this up on its own
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence.AI can speed this up with extra software
  • Grade students' assignments and exams.AI can speed this up with extra software · Seen in real AI use
  • Teach a variety of subjects, such as English, mathematics, and social studies.AI can speed this up with extra software · Seen in real AI use
  • Assist students with boarding or exiting school buses.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Counsel students with adjustment or academic problems.Little or no AI speed-up · Seen in real AI use
  • Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Restock teaching materials or supplies.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.Little or no AI speed-up
  • Tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.Little or no AI speed-up · Seen in real AI use

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Educational Instruction and Library occupations close to this one.

Questions about substitute teachers, short-term and AI

Will AI replace substitute teachers, short-term?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Substitute Teachers, Short-Term score 36 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #461 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 8 of the job's 18 tasks, 5 of them on its own, while 10 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which substitute teachers, short-term tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Answer students' questions"; "Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments"; "Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers".

Which substitute teachers, short-term tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Assist students with boarding or exiting school buses"; "Counsel students with adjustment or academic problems"; "Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as substitute teachers, short-term, and what do they earn?

About 524,770 people in the US, with median pay of $41,670 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

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