If you’re an online tutor looking for a job, you’re in the right place! In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the best online tutoring jobs, their pros and cons, how much they pay, and what qualifications you must have.
Below is some additional information about tutoring remotely.
What Is An Online Tutor?
An online tutor is someone —a teacher, student, professional, etc— who provides professional or educational assistance on a subject through online means. This can be through video chat, online messaging, or other video platforms.
An online tutor can be an employee of a tutoring business or provide tutoring services individually.
How Much Do They Pay?
According to Zippia, the average salary for an online tutor can range from $24,000 to $39,000 a year. Hourly, the average is $14.85. This amount, however, can vary depending on the tutor’s experience and expertise.
What Certifications Do You Need As An Online Tutor?
As an online tutor, you will need a few preliminary certifications. These include a bachelor’s degree, getting certified by the state you will tutor in, a basic skills test, a background check, and tutoring experience. Depending on the company you work for if you are not working individually, you may be required to have one of the following certifications: high school diploma, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. Some states require online tutors to have a teaching license or certification.
Additionally, all online tutors should have access to reliable internet and wireless connection.
10 Best Online Tutor Jobs
- Brainfuse
- Elevate K-12
- Tutor.com
- TutorMe
- Qkids
- iTutorGroup
- Chegg
- EF Education First
- VIPKid
- Kaplan
Overview: Brainfuse provides a wide variety of online tutoring services to colleges and schools. Brainfuse was founded in 1999 with a mission to create a bridge between students and tutors. Brainfuse boasts over a million completed online tutoring sessions.
Pros:
- Flexible schedule
- Work from home
- Reliable
- Good compensation
Cons:
- More support for the student than the tutor
- Hard to get hours
- Subjects offered that don’t have available tutors.
Pay: The average pay is $12.76 per hour.
Certifications: Online tutoring candidates are expected to have a bachelor’s degree and prior tutoring experience. However, teaching certifications aren’t required by Brainfuse.
Overview: With Elevate K-12, online tutors can expect to tutor students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Tutors are not employees, but rather they are contracted and can set their own tutoring hours. Tutors can enjoy resources such as “pre-made lesson plans” and training.
Pros:
- Good compensation
- Paid training
- Learning materials, training & curriculum materials, and lesson plans provided
- Additional 20% for administrative time
Cons:
- No pay for canceled classes or tutoring sessions
- No employee benefits
- Part-time only
- Pay is less than a teaching salary
Pay: $22 to $50 per hour
Certifications: Elevate K-12 requires online tutors to have a college degree or be enrolled in a 4-year college program. Prior tutoring experience is also expected.
Overview: Started in 1998, Tutor.com has more than two decades of experience in helping students reach their academic goals. Subjects on Tutor.com ranges from elementary school to college level. Tutor.com provides one on one tutoring and homework services in over 250 subjects. Online tutors are required to commit to at least five hours per week of online tutoring.
Pros:
- Waiting time during scheduled hours is paid
- Over 250 topics
- All aged students
- Can pick up additional tutoring sessions
- Little prep work
Cons:
- Pay varies depending on experience and subject
- Have to pass proficiency tests for each tutoring subject
- Must hit a minimum of 5 hours a week
Pay: $10 to $23 per hour
Certifications: Online tutors must submit their academic credentials, take a test, submit a writing sample, background check, and ability to work in the United States. Some topics require a college degree while others are open to college students.
Overview: Started in 2015, TutorMe was built on the belief that “no student should ever feel alone in their learning journey.” TutorMe connects the student with a tutor who can help them work towards and reach their academic goals.
Pros:
- Easy to fill out the application
- Weekly payments
- Easy platform
- Positive reviews from existing tutors
Cons:
- Flat rate pay regardless of experience
- 4% acceptance rate for tutor applications
- Applications can take up to a month to be reviewed
- Students choose tutors on a “first come, first serve” basis
Pay: $16 an hour
Certifications: A college degree and experience working with students. College students can apply if they have high test scores or expertise in a specific subject.
Overview: As an online tutoring platform, Qkids helps Chinese elementary students learn English. Online tutors for Qkids can choose their own hours but must fill the minimum availability hours for the first six months they work there.
Pros:
- Flexible hours
- Low stress
- Set curriculum
- Easy-to-use platform
Cons:
- Early morning hours and late nights
- Only part-time
- Pay could be higher
- Working on a time difference
Pay: $17.89 per hour
Certifications: Online tutors must live in the United States or Canada, must have prior tutoring or teaching experience, and hold a bachelor’s degree.
Overview: Started in 1998, iTutorGroup is an English language tutoring service that helps Taiwanese students learn English. As a global leader in online education, iTutorGroup connects the student with the tutor to create a great learning experience.
Pros:
- Well established company
- Higher pay than other online tutoring companies
- Class teaching or 1:1 teaching
- Range of school subjects
Cons:
- Have to be a US and state-certified teacher
- Inconsistent bookings
- Some company organization and communication
Pay: $28 to $35 per hour
Certifications: Must speak fluent English, TEFL certification is not required but it is encouraged and you may need to earn one.
Overview: Chegg offers educational resources such as textbooks, learning materials, and online tutoring. Tutors can schedule meetings or meet with students as they log on.
Pros:
- Flexible hours
- Remote work
- Competitive pay
- Get paid once a week
Cons:
- Pay can fluctuate depending season
- Work can be slow
- Part-time work only
- Can be unstable
Pay: $20 per hour but can fluctuate
Certifications: Don’t need formal teaching experience but academic records may be needed for certain subjects.
Overview: Since its beginning in 1965, EF Education First offers English language tutoring to both children and adult learners. They are focused on helping students see the world and experience new cultures.
Pros:
- Teaching experience is not required
- 1:1 and group classes
- No minimum hours
- Flexible hours
- Prepared and uploaded teaching benefits
- Holiday pay and pension contribution
Cons:
- Basic pay
- Must be a native English speaker
- Not a full-time position
- No full pay when a student cancels
Pay: Up to $20.51 per hour
Certifications: Must be a fluent English speaker, have employment eligibility, and be enrolled in a TELF certification program.
Overview: VIPKids provides a flexible option for online tutors. Their focus provides a way for schoolchildren in China to learn English. Tutors can expect an online class experience and one on one classes.
Pros:
- Lesson plans, curriculum, and teaching materials provided
- No minimum hour commitment
- Flexible schedule
- Work from home
Cons:
- Must be a US or Canadian citizen
- Fixed-based pay rate
- Not a lot of autonomy
- Bookings can be hard to make
Pay: $21.92 an hour
Certifications: Must have a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of teaching or tutoring experience.
Overview: With over 20 years in education Kaplan provides tutoring with a focus on high school and college students. Kaplan offers test prep services along with online tutoring. Tutors can expect in-person or online tutoring positions.
Pros:
- Flexible
- Work-from-home options
- Teaching materials provided
Cons:
- Management lacks
- Pay is not proportional
- Classes can be infrequent
Pay: $38.96 per hour
Certifications: Teaching certifications are not needed but are encouraged.
Insurance For Tutoring Gigs
Now that you know what tutor side hustles are available to you, let’s talk about protecting your online tutoring business. Tutor insurance is a great, low-cost option when it comes to protecting your tutoring business from the costs associated with claims.
Claims can come in many forms. As a tutor, you could experience a student who sues you for not achieving their promised results, or your business equipment could be broken or stolen. These claims all have the potential to financially wipe out your business. General and Professional Liability insurance can help mitigate or even eliminate the out-of-pocket costs associated with claims.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to structure your tutoring lessons, check out 5 Tips On How To Structure A Tutoring Lesson for more information.
Tutor insurance for tutoring remotely starts at just $8.25 per month and can provide protection from accidents outside of your control. When you protect your business with insurance, you can experience an increase in professionalism and book more clients.
Get your online tutoring business going and protect your business today!
