A private tutor is a rewarding experience, one that can help you learn and grow while increasing your expertise. Nowadays, education systems need tutors more than ever, helping learners keep focused and on track while learning a new topic. As a tutor, you could help those at home or online, choosing your teaching style and method.
Tutors are able to take on learners from elementary age all the way to college graduates. No matter what kind of tutoring you do, setting a price that works for you and is fair for your clients is key. You may be asking, “how much should I charge for tutoring?“. For most tutors, you'll want to charge somewhere between $15 and $50 per hour of your time.
Below, will point out some of the key variables related to check to help you set your rate plus how you should charge for your preferred tutoring type. Let's get started!
Do Tutors Get Paid Well?
One of the first things you may be thinking about is how much money private tutors get paid.
The answer is, it just depends.
It depends on the topic you're teaching, and also the hours you dedicate to teaching per day and the centers you're a part of. There are people that tutor for extra money but also to it is that tutor professionally, making a medium to high salary off of tutoring only. The better you set your rate, the higher you will be paid; however, your experience should match.
Clients don’t like to pay for homework help or tutoring if they don’t find value in, which is why you have to prove who you are and how you can help. Showing that you are qualified is done with things like certifications, degrees, and other factors that you need to take into consideration to show to your students to help set your level of experience high.
Just think, the more satisfied your students are, the more they will brag, helping you build your own tutoring business.
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The Tricks to Getting Started
One of the first things you need to do is find people to tutor. If you are a teacher or work in some kind of academic setting, you might already have a powerful resource and know where there is a clear demand. However, if not, it may be best to find a platform that works for you. Think about advertising on online platforms, or print an advertisement in your local newspaper offering your services for subjects.
You can also take to online tutoring platforms like Preply or Varsity Tutors, both of which allow you to make a profile, set how much to charge, and find those in need online. Once you find your first student, you can get a feel for your classes and learn what works to advertise yourself as a tutor. If using a platform, have your students fill out a review to try and get other learners by word of mouth for your tutoring.
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Proving Yourself
One of the first things that you’ll have to do when answering “how much should I charge for tutoring” is prove yourself, not only as a teacher but also as an individual while tutoring. Learners will not pay for teachers that don’t teach subject matter well and will likely never schedule another class with you if you don’t prove yourself. How can you prove yourself? You could do a few things to get clients more comfortable with you.
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1. Make a Video
Many times, students will only know what they read about you on the web. Instead of letting them jump to conclusions, give them a glimpse of how you really are when tutoring and make a demo. During your demos, be true to yourself and your teaching style, letting your future learners in on what they can expect. In this way, you’ll gain more clientele and get them comfortable with you from day one.
2. Offer Free Tutoring
Another way of getting yourself out there is to offer your first tutoring without a fee and focus on blowing your potential clients away. For instance, you can create a killer first free class, making it fun, interactive, and informative. Give learners a mix of materials that they can use to increase their understanding and make them want another class with you.
While offering free tutoring may not sound attractive, it can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door to start your business in the right direction.
3. Student Testimonials
Another thing that learners look for are reviews from other learners. They look for the experience of others, trying to imagine what your tutoring will be like as well. So, encourage your clients to write reviews about you and post them on your most used social sites. You’ll have more potential students and more chances to get your name out there.
By asking a school student or child for a testimonial you can better explain your service to others in need.
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Consider Your Costs for Tutoring
Before you start to research how much to charge, you should consider the cost. Think of yourself as a business owner and your tutoring as a product that you offer to your clients. In that way, you won’t forget about the costs associated with tutoring, helping to determine your final hourly rate.
First off, think about school location. If you are going to a student's house you should factor in the time it takes to get there and the amount of gas or money you'll be spending to get there. In addition, you'll need to factor in any books or materials or academic center rentals too that are used during your tutoring sessions plus the learners special needs. Then, think about the time that you're spending there, setting a cost that you're comfortable with. Once you have a better idea of your operational costs, you'll have a better idea of how to upset your cost by charging enough to cover and keep a few bucks in your pocket.
You'll also want to consider the cost of living for the area in which you will be a tutor. Because tutoring rates vary – be sure to take into account the cost of living. If you're working as an online tutor you might be able to make more money depending on the subjects and hours you work.
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Learn the Art of Negotiation
If you're uncomfortable talking about how much should I charge for tutoring or money, you might want to prep yourself for the worst. A lot of times, parents want to negotiate the best deal so that they can save a few bucks. More than likely, you will get a counteroffer for a lower price which you will need to know how to handle. When deciding your tutoring rates be sure to explain why your rate is set at that price. You can justify your tutoring rate with success of previous students.
One of the key ways to handle a counteroffer for what you charge for tutoring that’s low is to point out the materials and time it takes to get to your student's house. If your potential student’s new offer sounds way too low, you may need to consider stepping away from the deal and politely suggesting that they look for another person to offer tutoring. There are many ways to find out how much to charge without being rude, a few of which we’ll share below.
#1 – Go High
When you give potential students your hourly tutoring rate, start out at a higher rate than normal. If you go into negotiating with a higher price, you're likely to be prepared if they do try to talk you down.
Try to stay within the area of 10 to 15 percent higher than you would want to charge and start reducing little by little. Make sure not to reduce to an unreasonable price to avoid a set rate that you are uncomfortable with.
You can set your price per tutoring session or charge an hourly rate based on the number of hours needed. Those working for a more advanced education might require much more knowledge than those in a more elementary setting like a child.
#2 – Know When to Walk Away
Sometimes, negotiations do not work out for either party. So, just in case, be prepared to walk away. Keep in mind that it's your time and your money and that you have a right to make a rate that you set. You can walk away and still be polite, knowing that you deserve a rate for tutoring that's worth it.
Walking away isn’t a reflection on your tutoring abilities but rather a way to stand your ground and recognize when and if you’re being taken advantage of. Most often, once your clients start to shop around, they’ll realize what the average price are like and may reconsider and contact you further down the road.
#3 – Don't Argue
One thing to avoid as a private tutor when you charge for tutoring is getting into an argument with your potential student or your student's parents. A lot of times, people don't understand what goes into tutoring and all of the extra costs that are involved. Try and make them aware of the extra cost and explain to them where you got your pricing. If you notice that the conversation is taking a turn towards arguing, it's better to turn away to avoid getting into an argument with someone that just doesn't undo send.
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Types of Tutoring
There are many different types of tutoring, most of them differing by the platform with which you'll be teaching with. Each type of tutoring might have a different way of pricing, some of them coming with more or fewer materials or costs on your behalf. Before starting your next tutoring session be sure to understand which type of service is needed.
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is becoming very popular, especially with the new and improved technologies that make video calls easier and cost nothing. As an web-based tutor, the costs are reduced but you may have to deal with faulty connections and other mishaps during your session. Depending on the subject, you could get away with just typing or writing (like with math for example), however, that's not the case with every subject.
On average, tutors that choose online tutoring charge anywhere from $25 per hour to $70 per hour. When setting your pay rate, you could go around the web and see what the competition is charging, setting yours about the average (or a bit lower if you’re just starting out. Plus, consider the proof you have to offer that you are qualified to teach the subject. Add certifications or degrees and even upload a video of your teaching style to add more value to your sessions.
In-person Tutoring
Apart from online tutoring, there is also in-person private tutoring. As the name suggests, private tutors teach face to face either in their home or in an academic setting like a classroom or library. You may want to charge more than online tutoring, calculating for transportation, materials, and a more realistic experience.
Most of the time, private tutors have a price tag of starting at 30 per hour or 40 per hour all the way up to $70 per hour. The more advanced the subject matter, the more you should charge. Plus, the further you have to travel, you should bump up the prices too. All-together, this will turn out as a fair price for both you and your clients, as you help them reach their academic goals.
Individual Vs. Group Tutoring
Apart from deciding the type of private tutoring that you will do, you also need to think about whether you are offering one-to-one classes or group classes. Both have their ups and downs, which could help you choose and better set your final pay rate.
Individual Private Tutoring Sessions
Individual sessions are normally more beneficial for the clients and less stressful for a private tutor. You won't have to deal with different moods, attitudes, or learning styles along the way. In addition, you can get and keep high school student’s attention, learning new ways along the way to keep them engaged.
Students also will benefit better, getting private tutoring for their style and their faults in the particular subject. With individual sessions, you can charge a higher price per student, especially for the one-on-one experience. When students have a session with private tutors, they normally learn and retain information better, able to score better on exams and have an overall more positive learning experience.
Group Tutoring Sessions
Good tutoring is also beneficial, working well for learners to learn from others and be accountable for their timing class. They are not only fun and more Interactive but you can get paid much more in one hour from a group class than an individual class. For group tutoring, you could take anywhere from two to five clients per class charging each student for the hour.
However, instead of charging your full rate per hour, you should go for 60 to 75% of your original private tutoring hourly rate. For a quick estimate, if you charge one student $50 per hour, you could charge learners in a group class $37.50 per hour. Group classes have their benefits, most of which are for your pocket.
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Charging for Expertise
When you have a degree or a certification in a topic, you can charge more as an online tutor. The more of an expert you are on a topic the higher your hourly rate should be, knowing that clients cannot get the information you're giving anywhere else. Don't be afraid to make the price tag high, charging more or then detailed information you can give customers.
To put things into perspective, think about renowned professors that teach SAT tutoring or math. If you were to ask them about a rate, they would charge hundreds of dollars per hour in their topic and clients anxious to learn would pay that without hesitation. The higher up you go, the more you should charge, and you shouldn’t be ashamed to do so.
Choosing the Best Payment Options
A lot of the times, tutors accept cash. It’s not only easier to manage but it’s also better for tax and fees. Still, taking only cash can be limiting for your final number, not giving students and their parents options when it comes to paying the bill. You can happily accept cash and add a few payment options to your list. As a tutor limiting any fees is critical to increasing your pay.
Credit or Debit Card
Accepting credit or debit cards, you can not only accept one-time payments but also schedule payment options with your students. For example, if your students decide to pay per month for your tutoring services, they can enjoy easy payments straight to your account. Plus, you can offer deals because they are paying for a month’s worth of classes up front.
Online E-Wallets
E-wallets are a great option, providing an extra layer of safety to many of the online accounts out there. With these types of transactions, you can also offer deals for tutoring, allowing your students to pay upfront for classes or pay at the end of a session. Add E-wallets to your list of payment options and bump up your opportunities to teach to students from your area and around the world.
How to Price your Sessions Fair
One of the biggest problems that today's run into when setting prices is setting one that's fair. You may want to set a price too high hearing all of the success stories of others and thinking they can do the same. Or, they may price too low thinking that their high school or college students deserve a break. However, students should consider setting a price for tutoring right in the middle that is fair for both them and their students.
It can be difficult the first time around, after a few students and many learning experiences, tutors will understand what a fair price is. Take a look at the cost of living and what others are chagrining for subjects in your area. Then, try and stay somewhere around the average, keeping yourself both competitive and away from missing out on students.
How to Raise your Price
Tutoring is a learning experience. The more students you teach and the more time, the more you're experienced grows. Not only will high school and college students start to learn better but, you will also start to teach better. That Could mean that it's time to raise your fee. You shouldn't feel ashamed for raising your fees even if it's with students that you've had for a while.
To raise the hourly rate you charge for tutoring, start by listing your certification and titles that qualify you for private tutoring. then, have a conversation with your student about the cost and the new rates that you're proposing. you may have some negotiating to do but, stand your ground and be confident knowing that you set the correct price.
Creating Unique Content
All tutors should consider assessing learners before they start to teach. They should look for the student's ability to solve problems and think critically, also taking steps to uncover the student's learning style. This assessment will help tutors when they develop tutoring services, able to create unique contents that they can only find with their tutor.
When You create unique content, you can feel proud about any amount that you charged, knowing that your clients won't get another lesson like yours. Once you start to develop your tutoring services and learn how to adapt to learners, you should consider raising your price.
Investing in Yourself
As a tutor, you’ve more than likely studied the subject you’re teaching forward and backward. While that is worth bragging about, you’ll also need to keep up to date with changes in your industry and be adaptable whenever you can. That’s why you should invest in yourself, fueling your ideas and getting a better grip on your tutoring topic so that you stay fresh with all advancements in your field.
There are several ways to continually advance yourself, some of which include the following:
Get Certified
Nowadays, you can score certifications from all around. Whether it’s online or at your local community college, there are options all around. You may want to start with a simple online search, looking for certifications for your field. Then, you can build your knowledge up and reach further beyond your wildest dreams. To get certified as a tutor you have a few options. You might consider charging additional fees once you are certified.
Get a Degree
Taking university courses is always an option, making you look more competitive up against the competition. It’s a good idea to check for ways to advance your tutoring services, going for a master’s or even a Ph.D. Whatever route you choose, be sure to keep an eye out for opportunities both online and on campus. As a tutor, there's a good chance you have completed some schooling, but you can always take your education to the next level to become an even better tutor.
If you don't have a degree already, consider going back to school to boost your pay.
Gain Experience
Last but not least, you can take to the job market to start gaining experience. There is no better teacher than gaining experience in the industry, helping you break barriers and rise above your competitors. You can keep a look out for opportunities that cater to your knowledge, starting a part-time or full-time job. Once you land a job, you’ll have another thing that separates you from all of the others, helping you land more and increase your tutoring per hour rate.
By gaining experience as a tutor you'll get free knowledge on the business and how it works. This will help you to better understand the pay you can expect as a tutor and how much you should charge.
Being a Successful Private Tutor is Easier than you Think!
When it comes to tutoring, there are a lot of factors to consider. Though your head may spin with all of your options, you should take a step back and think about all you have to offer. Plus, think about the types of tutoring classes you will offer and how they will play out in terms of price.
Just like with any service, you should be paid for your time. Don’t hesitate when it comes to setting a price and make sure that you are fair to both yourself and your clients. Before you set your price, don’t forget to:
- Check market prices
- Think about the age and level
- Consider your level of professionalism
- Try and be as competitive as possible to grow your tutoring possibilities
For most tutors, you should charge between $15 and $50 per hour. For more advanced tutors or those with exceptional qualifications you can charge upwards of $100 per hour.
If you're wondering “how much should I charge for tutoring?”, I hope this article helps you to understand your worth as a tutor and educator – enabling you to set fair prices that provide value for both yourself and your clients.
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