New, Higher Substitute Pay Rates Approved In Bridgewater-Raritan

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Pay rates will be increasing for fully credentialed substitute teachers in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

The new rates of $173 per day for a substitute were approved by the Board of Education at its regular meeting on June 16. It will go into effect in September.

The increase applies to substitutes with a New Jersey Department of Education teaching certification.

The new daily rate is increased from $155 per day, which was in effect through the 2025-2026 school year for anyone joining the district as a substitute teacher or paraprofessional.

The district said the updated pay is aimed at strengthening its substitute pool for classrooms that need short-term and long-term coverage.

"Beginning next school year, we will use $173 per day as our Certified Teacher Substitute Rate," said Dr. Daniel Fonder, the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. "The goal is to increase the number of certified teachers in our substitute pool, which will be helpful for both daily and long-term replacement assignments."

Other substitute positions will also see higher pay beginning in September 2026.

"The district is also raising the hourly rate for hard-to-fill part-time substitute positions: Cafeteria/Playground Assistant substitutes to $20 per hour, and Bus Driver substitutes to $34 per hour," Fonder stated.

The full list of substitute rates for September 2026 includes:

• $173 per day for substitute teachers with an NJDOE teacher certification
• $155 per day for substitute teachers with only a substitute certificate
• $155 per day for substitute teacher assistants
• $120 per day for substitute secretaries
• $20 per hour for substitute cafeteria-playground assistants
• $34 per hour for substitute bus or van drivers

Candidates interested in the openings are advised to visit the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District website and click on the Employment Opportunities tab to learn more.

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