How Much Should I Charge as a Private Tutor or Provider?
Do you have questions about how much you should charge per hour as a private tutor or provider? There are lots of different factors to consider. Read on for more info.
Are you thinking about becoming a private tutor? If you're new to tutoring or need a hand with rethinking your prices, we have lots of helpful information here for you.
Home tutoring has never been so popular and in demand, so it's essential to be able to answer questions such as "how much does a tutor cost?". So let's take a look into knowing how much to charge.
What qualifications and experience do you have?
You will have spent a lot of time working towards the qualifications you have gained and building up experience. You may want to factor this into the amount you charge your families. When looking for a tutor, a parent will want to ensure they can meet the needs of their child, and your qualifications and experiences will help them to see this.
What subject and level will you teach?
Decide what subjects you will teach and to what level you will do this. Maths or English may demand a different rate than Engineering for example. Take a look at other tutors in your area, or online, and see what they are charging for this level and subject of tuition. This will help you get an idea of what people are currently paying for what you are offering.
So, how much does a UK tutor cost on average?
Well, this can depend upon a few factors, such as location, specialism, and tutor’s experience. According to TutorExtra, the UK average for tutor’s fees ranges from £20 to £50 per hour. When we look at location, the price differences are quite apparent. For instance, the average cost of a maths tutor in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is around £22 per hour, £25 per hour in London, and £20 per hour for tutors in Bristol. For specialism, the price of a physics tutor in London is around £40 per hour, guitar lessons are £30 per hour, and piano lessons are approximately £35 per hour. It's always recommended to conduct market research and assess how you can position yourself in relation to other tutoring providers.
Will the tuition be one-to-one or in groups?
It is usual for one-to-one tuition to cost more than group tuition. If you offer both, you may consider having more than one rate. Your group rate will depend on whether all the children in the group are working on the same activities or if the session is differentiated for each child. For example, if two friends from the same maths group are tutored together, this will take less planning and preparation than two siblings of different ages and abilities.
How much do you spend on resources?
Tutoring both online and face to face, you will need to access resources. When online, you might also pay for specific platforms to deliver your sessions on. You will need to make sure this is covered in the fees you set to ensure you can make a profit from your tuition.
How much time do you spend planning?
When setting your fees, you should also think about the work that goes on behind the scenes. You won’t just turn up for the session, deliver it for the time set, and then leave. There is preparation that needs to be done beforehand, and you may also set homework that needs marking or send feedback following a session. Make sure you value all of the time you spend preparing and working with each student.
Do you travel to your students' location?
If tutoring face-to-face and travelling to the homes of your students, this will also incur a cost. There will be a cost involved in the travel, and also for the additional time you are spending in commuting to and from the session. You may want to consider this when setting a fee for face-to-face sessions.
What level of income do you need?
As a private tutor, you want to help as many students as possible, but you also need to ensure that you can make a living from your work. This means you need to consider how much money you need to cover your living expenses and other costs associated with running a tutoring business.
Remember that you will also need to pay taxes on your earnings, so you will need to factor that into your pricing strategy as well.
What is the cost of TutorExtra compared to other websites?
What is the market rate for private tutoring in your local area?
It is also important to research the market rate for private tutoring in your local area. You can do this by looking at the prices charged by other tutors in your area, checking online directories and websites, and talking to parents and students.
Keep in mind that the market rate can vary depending on factors such as the subject, level, length of lesson and location. For example, if you live in an affluent area, you may be able to charge higher fees than if you live in a less affluent area.
Ultimately, you want to set a rate that is competitive with other tutors in your area, but that also takes into account your experience, qualifications, and the value that you provide to your students.
Should you offer a free consultation or trial session?
Some tutors offer a free consultation or trial session to potential clients. This can be a great way to introduce yourself to potential clients and demonstrate your skills and expertise.
During the consultation or trial session, you can discuss the student's needs and goals, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and provide them with a taste of what your tutoring sessions will be like.
If you decide to offer a free consultation or trial session, you should make sure that you communicate your policies clearly to potential clients. For example, you may want to limit the free session to a certain amount of time or specify the topics that will be covered during the session.
How can you increase your rates?
As you gain more experience and develop a reputation as a skilled and effective tutor, you may be able to increase your rates.
One way to do this is to build up a strong client base and receive positive reviews and recommendations from your students and their parents. This can help establish your reputation and make it easier to attract new clients.
You may also want to consider expanding your subject areas or offering specialised tutoring services. For example, if you are a maths tutor, you could offer specialised tutoring for students preparing for exams such as the GCSE or A-levels.
Another way to increase your rates is to invest in your own professional development. This may involve pursuing further education or training to gain new qualifications or skills. By doing so, you can demonstrate your expertise and value to potential clients, which can justify a higher rate.
How can you promote your services?
If you want to charge premium rates, you will need to convince clients that you are worth it. This means actively promoting your services and building your reputation in the field.
One way to do this is to set up a website and social media accounts that showcase your qualifications, experiences, and testimonials from satisfied clients. Link these to your TutorExtra profile.
You may also want to attend local events, such as school fairs and community gatherings, where you can network and distribute promotional materials. It's important to keep in mind that word-of-mouth is still one of the most effective forms of advertising. If you do a great job with your students, they will be more likely to recommend you to others.
As mentioned earlier, consider offering a free consultation or trial session to new clients to give them a taste of your teaching style and approach. This can also be an opportunity to establish rapport and build a strong working relationship.
Remember to be professional
As a private tutor, you are running your own business. This means you need to be professional in your conduct and approach to your work.
Make sure to arrive on time for each session and be prepared with all the necessary materials and resources. Dress appropriately and conduct yourself in a manner that is respectful and courteous.
It's also important to be responsive to your clients' needs and concerns. Keep the lines of communication open and make sure to address any questions or issues that arise promptly and professionally.
Keep records of your income and expenditure
As a self-employed tutor, it's important to keep accurate records of your income and expenses for tax purposes. This can include invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
You may also want to keep track of your students' progress and any feedback you receive from them or their parents. This can be useful in evaluating your teaching methods and making improvements where necessary.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, setting the right price for your tutoring services can be a challenging task. However, by taking into account factors such as your qualifications, experience, subject and level of tutoring, location, and the market rate, you can develop a pricing strategy that is fair, competitive, and profitable.
Remember to communicate your policies clearly to potential clients and be willing to adjust your rates as your experience and reputation grow. With dedication, hard work, and a commitment to providing quality tutoring services, you can build a successful tutoring business and help your students achieve their academic goals.
