Open Source: How much do substitute teachers & bus drivers earn in Richland County?

MANSFIELD — The start of the school year is mere weeks away. 

Cue the back-to-school sales, open houses and recurring calls for substitute teachers and bus drivers.

We asked local schools to tell us how much they pay substitute teachers, bus drivers and substitute bus drivers — and if they are hiring. 

Here’s what we discovered. 

Every school district needs full-time or substitute bus drivers (or both)

Bus drivers, whether they work as a regular employee or substitute, need a commercial drivers license (CDL) and a background check. Ontario Local Schools also requires drivers to pass a physical.

Bus drivers are typically paid on a salary schedule, with hourly rates increasing for every year of experience.

Here’s the starting salary for school bus driver salary schedules in Richland County: 

• Clear Fork: $17.58/hr.
• Crestview: $21.81/hr.
• Lexington: $18.83/hr.
• Lucas: $20.17/hr.
• Madison: $19.78/hr.
• Mansfield:  $25.05/hr.
• Ontario: $28.44/hr.
• Plymouth-Shiloh: $21.06/hr.
• Shelby: $23/hr.

Most districts pay substitute bus drivers the same rate as a first-year, regular bus driver, regardless of experience. In Richland County, there are two exceptions.

Madison Local Schools pays substitute bus drivers $18 an hour; Ontario pays substitute bus drivers $20 per hour.

Anyone interested in working as a regular or substitute bus driver should contact their local school district’s transportation department.

What about substitute teachers?

There is also a high demand for substitute teachers.

Requirements vary by district. All districts require a minimum of a high school diploma and teaching or substitute teaching license from the state of Ohio and background check. 

Some school districts have additional requirements. Mansfield City Schools requires a minimum of an associate’s degree for substitute teachers. 

Ohio offers standard one-year and five-year substitute teaching licenses; a bachelor’s degree is required. 

Here’s what substitute teachers make in Richland County: 

• Clear Fork: $110 per day, or $120 if they are a retired Clear Fork teacher.
• Crestview: $120 per day.
• Lexington: $100 per day.
• Lucas: $100 per day.
• Madison: $125 per day.
• Mansfield: $140 per day.
• Ontario: $125 per day.
• Plymouth-Shiloh: $115 per day.
• Shelby: $115 per day.

Ohio law allows for individuals without a college degree to obtain a one-year substitute teaching license if they meet a school district’s educational requirements and are deemed to be “of good moral character.” These licenses can only be issued at the request of an Ohio school or district. 

Prospective substitute teachers typically begin the application process through the school where they want to teach, though some local school districts contract their substitute hiring out to the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.

The best way to find out the requirements for the district you want to substitute teach in is to check the job postings on their website or contact the school board office.