Whether you’re looking for some supplemental teaching work or want to try to make a living teaching online, online tutoring jobs are one option to consider. You can often set your own schedule, working as little or as much as you like. It takes time to build up your business and find clients, but experienced tutors can make terrific money. You can strike out on your own, offering your skills through local sources, or try one of the most popular online tutoring sites.
Remember that everyone’s experience with these sites will be different, so do your own research before signing up. Explore reviews on sites like Indeed or Glassdoor, and ask for advice from other teachers on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Your time is valuable, so be sure to make the most of it!
VIPKid
- Tutoring subjects: ESL for Chinese elementary students
- Pay rate: $7–$9 per class; $14–$22 per hour with incentives factored in
- Requirements: Tutors need a bachelor’s degree and 2 years experience teaching or tutoring. All applicants must record a demo lesson, then become certified if accepted.
This is one of the best-known online tutoring sites, created specifically to teach English as a second language to children ages 4 to 12 in China. Tutors must use a pre-designed program, so there’s no lesson planning, and VIPKid handles all parent communication. It’s a full-immersion one-on-one program, which means you don’t need to be proficient in any language except English. The most challenging part for many tutors is the hours. You can work as much or as little as you want, but since lessons take place during daytime hours in China, American and Canadian tutors may need to be up late at night or early in the morning. See our full review of online tutoring jobs with VIPKid here.
Qkids
- Tutoring subjects: ESL for Chinese elementary students
- Pay rate: $8–$10 per class; $16–$20 per hour
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate; available at least 6 hours/week
Qkids is similar to VIPKid. Tutors use a set curriculum on a game-based learning platform. Classes last 30 minutes, with one to four elementary-aged students in each. Qkids handles all the parent communication, grading, and other administrative duties. They have a fairly extensive application process, which requires several demo lessons followed by trial lessons with real students (you’ll be paid for the trial lessons). If you’re successful, you’ll be offered a six-month contract. Like VIPKid, the biggest challenge may be the hours due to the time differences.
TutorMe
- Tutoring subjects: 300+ subjects available
- Pay rate: $16/hour
- Requirements: 2+ years teaching or tutoring experience, enrolled or graduated from accredited university, background check
TutorMe has some of the highest ratings out there from real tutors, who consider the pay reasonable and the company good to work with. You teach in their online Lesson Space, with tools to help you and your student succeed. You’re paid both for actual tutoring and the time you spend writing up feedback. TutorMe has a very competitive application process, and they say they only accept 4% of applicants. Online reviews indicate it might be worth the effort, though.
Varsity Tutors
- Tutoring subjects: Any; specializes in test prep
- Pay rate: Average $17/hour for tutoring, $15/hour for test prep, per Indeed salary survey
- Requirements: None listed on site; an application is required
Varsity Tutors is a popular choice for ACT/SAT and AP test prep, but it offers tutoring in pretty much any subject. The website is a little skimpy on information for prospective tutors, but the company’s review on Indeed indicates you should have a degree in the subject you wish to teach. See more info about Varsity Tutors from teachers who’ve worked there on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE on Facebook.
PrepNow Tutoring
- Tutoring subjects: ACT/SAT Test Prep, Advanced Math
- Pay rate: Average $19/hour, per Indeed salary survey
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; 2 years teaching/tutoring experience; available 6 hours/week
PrepNow focuses on preparing high school students to succeed on the ACT and SAT, though they also offer tutoring in math subjects like calculus and trigonometry. Their test prep curriculum is pre-designed, and they’ll train you in how to use it. You set your hours with students, usually evenings or weekends. This is a good option for those new to the tutoring game looking to build a little experience.
Tutor.com
- Tutoring subjects: More than 200 subjects, with emphasis on test prep
- Pay rate: Average $15/hour, per Indeed salary survey
- Requirements: Available 5 hours a week; bachelor’s degree (or at least 2 years into a currently active program); expertise in subject
As you might guess from a site owned by The Princeton Review, Tutor.com focuses on test prep but offers online tutoring jobs in a large selection of subjects. They tout the fact that many of their tutors have degrees from prestigious universities and must prove their expertise, but tutors who have worked for them note their average starting pay rate is somewhat lower than other companies. Experienced tutors may earn more, though.
italki
- Tutoring subjects: World languages listed here
- Pay rate: Tutors set their own rates; italki takes a 15% commission
- Requirements: Teaching certificate or university degree in language teaching
If you’re a world language teacher, italki is a good place to gain tutoring clients. After you pass the application process and are accepted, you create an online profile with an introductory video. This profile shows your qualifications and rates. Students can contact you to arrange lessons if they’re interested. Italki takes a 15% commission, so factor that into your rates.
Skooli
- Tutoring subjects: All subjects
- Pay rate: $25/hour, per online reviews
- Requirements: Teaching certificate and/or bachelor’s degree; background check
At Skooli, students seeking tutoring enter their question on the website and are matched with an available tutor. Often that means helping kids with their homework questions during instant sessions, though you can also set up more traditional regular tutoring sessions with a student. The pay rate is decent, but note that you’re not guaranteed work. You’ll earn more if you tutor in high-demand subjects and have lots of availability.
Studypool
- Tutoring subjects: All subjects
- Pay rate: Varies; tutors bid on questions they wish to answer
- Requirements: None listed; application required
Studypool promises you can earn money answering homework questions, and their bidding system makes them unique among online tutoring jobs. Students post a question or assignment they need help with, and registered tutors bid for the job by indicating how much they would charge to help. Jobs could be as simple as a few minutes answering a basic question or longer hours helping with a presentation or essay. Online reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with most tutors saying that they appreciate the ability to control their working time and pay rates. Studypool does take a percentage of your fee (from 20% to 33%, according to online reviews), so be sure to factor that into your bid.
Wyzant
- Tutoring subjects: Any subject you can prove your proficiency in
- Pay rate: You set your own rates; Wyzant retains a 25% platform fee and 9% service fee
- Requirements: Complete an application; no certifications required
If you’re looking to establish your own tutoring business but you’re not sure how to get clients or handle the administrative part, check out Wyzant. Teachers create a free profile that lists their subject-area expertise, availability, and rates. Students looking for tutors review the profiles and reach out if they’re interested. Wyzant handles all the billing but retains fairly hefty fees, so set your rates accordingly.
Care.com
- Tutoring subjects: Any
- Pay rate: You set your own rates
- Requirements: ID and background check
Care.com is a trusted site where parents can find childcare solutions, including nannies, babysitters, and tutors. They complete ID and background checks (for a fee), so parents can feel safe trusting their kids with you. Once you’re cleared, you create a profile and offer your services at whatever rates you feel are appropriate. You can get a free Basic membership to looks things over and see if Care.com looks right for you. When you’re ready to begin interacting with potential clients, it’s worth paying for a Premium membership, which requires a monthly fee. Premium members get their required CareCheck background check for free and find it much easier to communicate with potential clients. The good news is that Care.com doesn’t take any commission from your rates, so the monthly fee is all you’ll need to pay them. All the money you earn from tutoring gigs is yours.
Outschool
- Tutoring subjects: Any
- Pay rate: You set your own rates; Outschool takes a flat 30% commission
- Requirements: ID and background check
Outschool is a site that helps teachers organize, promote, and deliver online classes. Though most teachers use it to provide multi-student classes, you can also offer your services as a tutor through the site. Educators can create a class on any subject they like, from academic subjects to hobbies like cooking or music lessons. Design a curriculum, then offer your class times and rates that are right for you. It’s free to post your class; Outschool takes a 30% commission from any fees you earn. Lots of teachers really enjoy using this option to earn extra money, since it gives them a chance to focus on subjects they love and reach students who are truly interested in their topics.
Still have questions about online tutoring jobs for teachers? Come share your experiences and get advice on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out 38 Companies That Hire Former Teachers in 2023.
