One of the biggest questions tutors face when starting up their business is how to set their fee. Especially for first-time tutors, it can be difficult to tell what’s appropriate to charge for an hour of learning. Fortunately, there are several factors you can use to help guide your rate. Here’s how much you should be charging for tutoring.
Factors Affecting Tutoring Rate
According to online cost of care calculators, the average rate for tutoring is around $20 an hour. However, that’s not always the standard. Some of the factors that can affect your tutoring rate include:
- Location: Your cost of living will influence how much you’ll want to charge. Look at the average rate of other tutors around you. Large metropolitan areas, like New York, Seattle and Atlanta, will charge more than smaller or more rural cities like San Antonio or Orlando. Check to see your area’s cost of living, and set your hourly tutoring rate accordingly.
- Subject: The subject you teach can also affect your standard rate. Technical and objective subjects, such as math and science, can often demand higher rates due to their perceived difficulty level. It’s important to see what other teachers in your subject area teach, so you don’t charge too little or too much.
- Grade level: The grade level you teach can have an influence on your overall fee. Tutors for higher secondary school grades, especially those that focus on college prep, tend to charge more than elementary or middle school level instructors.
- Experience: Your experience may be the most leverage you have in deciding your tutoring rate. If you’re a new tutor, it’s recommended to start small. As your reputation and rating improves, you can start to charge more. However, certified teachers with advanced degrees and experience can start with a higher base rate. The more certification and validation you have, the more you’ll be able to demand for your time.
- Platform: Deciding whether to host your sessions in-person or virtually can also be a factor when it comes to cost. While you might be able to charge more for in-person tutoring, you’ll also have to pay for your driving time, your tutoring space, and any physical materials you may need. Online tutoring helps you save on overhead costs because you can teach from the comfort of your own home. Some platforms will also provide their own materials, saving you extra money.
If you’re a certified teacher looking to start your online tutoring business, partner with VirtuEd, technology for teachers that tutor.
Set Your Online Tutoring Rate with VirtuEd
At VirtuEd, we help streamline your online tutoring business into one easy-to-use platform, saving you money by lowering your overhead costs. We’ll also make sure you get paid faster with our integrated payment processing feature, getting you your hard-earned money when you need it. From access to video conferencing and interactive technology to handling scheduling and payments, our all-in-one platform elevates the way you educate by empowering you with the tools you need to gain complete control of your business. To receive priority access and reserve your spot, sign up with VirtuEd today.