Private tutoring is big business now. The US private tutoring sector was valued at nearly $25 billion in 2021.
Covid had a negative impact on face-to-face private tutoring in 2020 but saw a rise in online teaching.
Changes in attitude across the world have seen a boom in private tutoring in general now. The global private tutoring market is expected to grow to over $200 billion by 2026.
More than half of this will be due to China and the importance the country places on education.
With revenues in the tutoring sector in the hundreds of billions, it would be easy to imagine all tutors are making solid incomes.
However, not every tutor can charge top-tier fees, and some don’t know how to.
If you are a tutor or plan on getting into private teaching, you may want to read on. Understanding how to charge the fees you are worth is essential when working as a motivated tutor.
How Do You Charge Your True Worth as a Tutor?
When you start working as a tutor, you likely looked around at what others were charging. This isn’t a bad starting point.
Understanding average tutoring rates can help you set a base figure for yourself.
Yet, this doesn’t mean that you are worth the same; you may be less experienced or worth significantly more.
Some estimates put the average tutoring fee at somewhere between $20 and $100 per hour. This is a wide range and not a very useful way to gauge what you should charge.
What Are Comparable Tutors Charging?
A more realistic way to establish an hourly rate would be to look at comparable tutors in your area.
A tutor working with the same demographic of students and teaching the same subject may be a good match.
But, how do you know how much experience they have? Perhaps they have a more established business than you.
The recruitment company, Indeed, looked at the problem from the opposite end. How much should a student pay a tutor was the question they posed in one article.
Interestingly they proposed that students teaching as a side gig could make up to $20 per hour, but a certified teacher could reach the top level of $100 per hour.
These tips below could help you get the hourly rates that your teaching skills deserve.
1. Get Certified
As mentioned above, qualified teachers can charge up to $100 per hour for private lessons. Being certified will help you appear more professional and legitimate.
If you have an education degree, you are already on the way to becoming certified.
If you aren’t sure what qualifications you need to teach, then consult the local Department of Education or look online for teaching courses.
2. Be Available
One aspect that many tutors don’t fully consider when planning to work privately is they need to be flexible. Your students may work full-time, part-time, study, or have family obligations.
You will increase your value if you can fit around other people’s schedules.
You can expect to charge more when you are the only tutor willing to drive to the student’s preferred location on a weekend evening.
3. Build a Great Online Presence
An online presence such as a website or LinkedIn account can help you to attract more students. But, by going the extra mile, you will be able to charge the fees you wish.
Make your website more than just an extended social media profile by adding content and educational resources to it. This way, you can build your presence as a respected local tutor.
4. Offer Multiple Channels
Don’t limit yourself to one method of teaching. If you are comfortable and confident enough then be willing to teach one-to-one in person and online, as well as in groups.
By listing your fees clearly per different options, your value as a one-on-one, face-to-face tutor will become clearer against your group and online fees.
5. Choose the Right Subject and Study
Your niche is going to be a big factor in how much you can charge. Choosing a subject you can explain and teach properly will mean you can charge the appropriate hourly rate.
You will need to remain current with all syllabus changes, and you may even want to consider taking further education or courses yourself.
Summary
Many students and individuals want to know how to pursue a career in education. Becoming a private tutor is a realistic option today.
You don’t need to be qualified to operate this way, but if you want to demand the rates that you believe you are due it will help.
Being flexible, understanding your niche area inside and out, and offer added value through your website could drive your business forward and bring you the income you are worth.
