| Tutors often find it difficult to quote a rate for their services. There are many things to consider: type of tutoring, qualifications and experience of tutor and geography (where you live). Find out what else a tutor needs to consider before setting a fee.
Private Tutoring Price – Varies City to City
Tutoring rates vary greatly depending on the country, state, city and even neighborhood of employment. $50 per hour is reasonable in New York City, but too expensive for a small town in Florida. Check the local Craigslist website and classified ads for the current rate for private tutors. Ask the student services office of the local school or college for rate recommendations.
According to the national Payscale website, affluent neighborhoods in big cities like New York, Chicago and Boston pay the highest rates for tutors. The tutoring rates are significantly less in smaller cities and rural areas. For example, Craigslist advertisements (October 2010) in Toledo, Ohio and Portland, Oregon offer tutoring services for as low as $15 an hour, for an experienced tutor with a bachelor's degree. Successful tutors set competitive rates for their geographical area.
Tutoring: Charge a Rate Based on Education and Experience
Generally speaking, a person with a bachelor's degree can charge between $20 and $100 per hour. Tutors with an undergrad degree tutoring elementary students will charge an amount towards the lower end of that range. High school tutors, in general, can charge a price in the middle of the range. Tutors with a master's or doctorate who are tutoring college level courses, can charge a rate near the upper end of the scale.
It is common for elementary students to get tutored by mature high school students. Generally, high school students charge a little more than the going minimum wage in the area. They should earn more than a teen working at McDonald's, but not as much as an experienced adult with a degree.
Specialty Tutoring Rates: Add a Premium
Tutors that target a specialty group can demand a premium hourly rate. SAT and LSAT preparation tutoring is a specialty area, in high demand, and therefore justifies a higher rate. Instructors who are trained for Special Education teaching can also charge $10 to $15 per hour more than the average homework tutor.
Tips For Tutors to Increase Business and Income
Before settling on a tutoring rate, consider your final goal. Tutors wishing to start a busy tutoring business should charge a rate that is slightly below other tutors in the area. A good tutor with modest pricing is always in high demand. A tutor with a fair fee will attract students who are loyal and will continue sessions for years. Referrals and word-of-mouth business comes easier to a tutor who is not overpriced.
Tutor in one location. In order to reduce traveling costs and lost commuting time, conduct tutoring sessions in one location. Teaching could be done in the tutor's home or the library. This allows for efficient back to back scheduling. If parents are not able to drive students to the teaching location, charge more for transportation costs.
Consider cancellation policies and tutoring discounts. In order to avoid sporadic attendance and last-minute cancellations, discuss a cancellation policy. Some tutors require sessions to be canceled 24 hours in advance. Decide whether students need to make a 4, 6 or 8 week commitment, or can they schedule on a week-by-week basis? Offering a bargain price for prepayment of 5 sessions can attract new students as well. All of these decisions are best established prior to tutoring.
Setting a tutoring rate can be confusing. Tutors should find out what other instructors in the area charge for similar assignments. Education, experience and student demand should all be taken into consideration when setting a price. It is a balancing act to find a rate that is high enough to pay the bills and low enough to acquire and keep students.
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