One question I see repeatedly in online teacher spaces is, “How much should a reading tutor charge?” I have advice on this topic, but please know that there is no simple answer or reliable formula to use.
Setting your rate requires many considerations. If you’re looking for an answer in the form of a dollar amount, you will not find that answer here. However, if you’re seeking a list of considerations to make when selecting your rate, this post will offer the direction that you need to make a thoughtful decision.
What is my advice about tutoring rates based on?
I have gathered information over the past several years. My information comes from:
- Personal experience (as both a teacher with a tutoring side gig and as a full-time private tutor)
- Surveys I have completed in the Wilson Reading System Facebook group, where dozens of tutors shared their location and their rate
- Conversations with other tutors, both local and across the country
- Conversations with parents about what they have paid for tutoring
- Time spent browsing job postings
My goal is to provide guidance, not to suggest any rate is ‘right’ for every tutor or family.
Location, location, location!
One of the most important factors when asking how much a reading tutor should charge is your geographic location. When someone posts in an online space asking other tutors what they charge, you’ll see numbers ranging from $35 per hour to $200 per hour! The reason for this drastic difference is that the United States is a large country with many types of communities. Cost of living, demand for services, and local competition all tend to influence rates in various regions.
Scroll to the end of this post if you’re looking for actual tutoring rates from real people, listed by U.S. states. But, I suggest that you read the whole post first! Knowing a state and a rate doesn’t tell us anything about the tutor’s specific location, their certifications, their typical clients, how they deliver their lessons, etc.
What about tutoring rates for online tutors?
If you plan to tutor exclusively online, your approach to setting your rate may be different than mine. There are pros and cons to being a fully virtual tutor.
Pros:
- If you live in an area where families cannot pay your desired rate, you can seek clients from another geographic region.
- Working from home may save you money if you do not need to rent an office space.
- Without travel time to worry about, you can see more clients per day, which equates to more income.
Cons:
- Competition is steep! There are many virtual tutors advertising their services. You may need to find a way to stand out among your competitors.
- If you plan to market yourself in a region that you do not live in, it can take some time and effort to learn about the region. (Knowing about the region will help you make personal and professional connections that assist you in acquiring clients.)
- You may need to be selective about who you take on as clients. Not all learners will thrive with online instruction. You may find yourself limited to working with students who have excellent attention spans and moderate energy levels. (Which sounds quite peaceful, but I like being able to get up and move around with kids and share physical materials!)
- You need to be sure you have the tech know-how to manage fully virtual sessions and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Who are your ideal clients?
You may have chosen to become a private tutor so that you can have more autonomy in your day-to-day schedule. The ability to choose who you work with is one perk of being your own boss. Knowing what types of students and families you prefer to work with will help you narrow down your ideal clients, and then you can seek them out. However, you also need to consider the financial implications of working with your ideal clients.
Are you passionate about working with students who have fewer opportunities in life? You will have to balance your need to earn an income with your desire to serve others. See the section below about ways to keep tutoring affordable for families.
Do you prefer to work with students who have a high-level of parental support and a wealth of background knowledge from varied life experiences? These families may seek tutors who can provide specialized support, and in some regions, this can mean higher competition for clients.
Do you enjoy working with younger students? Some parents may be less willing to pay premium rates for early literacy support, especially if their child is just beginning to read. That said, many families recognize the long-term value of early intervention and will invest in quality instruction. Older students who are performing below grade level may present a more urgent need for remediation, and your expertise in helping them catch up may be especially valued by their families.
Typical learners versus students with learning differences: Do you prefer to work with students who need basic structured literacy instruction to thrive, or are you passionate about working with students with more significant needs? The first group of students requires less specialized support. Perhaps your local school district uses balanced literacy, so many students are struggling to meet benchmarks. Basic structured literacy instruction is likely to help them thrive, but there may be many tutors in your area with the skills required to help these students progress. You may find that you need to price your rate competitively with the other tutors in your area who are offering the same services.
On the other hand, you may be able to increase your rate if you specialize in working with students with disabilities or diverse learning styles. In many areas outside of major urban or suburban centers, there may be fewer highly qualified tutors, which can reduce local competition. However, with the rise of virtual tutoring, even tutors in rural or smaller communities may face competition from experts located elsewhere.
Are you hoping to work with homeschool students so that you can work during school hours? Keep in mind that many homeschool families are on a single income, which means it may be a challenge for them to pay for tutoring. See the section below about ways to keep tutoring affordable for families.
Experience and Certifications: What Influences How Much a Reading Tutor Charges
Your resume impacts how much you should charge as a tutor. Parents often consider both knowledge and experience when deciding who to hire. Years of experience, specialized training, and relevant certifications signal that you have the skills and expertise necessary to help their child succeed. Tutors who specialize in structured literacy or working with students with learning disabilities may be able to justify higher rates because of the expertise required.
You can also consider other skills that make your services more valuable. Maybe you’re a wizard when it comes to managing behaviors or motivating unenthusiastic students. Maybe you have a quiet and gentle manner that helps you connect emotionally with students who have anxiety or have experienced trauma. When these soft skills translate into measurable progress, like improved reading scores, stronger engagement, or consistent completion of assignments, they make your services even more valuable to families. Continuing education, professional development, and a proven track record further strengthen the case for higher rates.
How much are local tutors and teachers being paid?
One way to gauge your tutoring rate is to look at local job postings for hourly education positions. Check the requirements and pay. For example, if a local school district pays certified general education teachers $50 per hour for summer school, this provides a useful benchmark for what someone with similar credentials might earn in your area. Keep in mind that school district pay often does not include prep time, travel, or curriculum costs that private tutoring requires.
If you are a certified special educator or reading specialist, staffing agency postings often provide higher hourly ranges, reflecting the premium for specialized skills. For example, an agency might offer $65 per hour to state-certified special education teachers. This can help you gauge the value of your own expertise. Additional certifications, such as structured literacy training, can justify increasing your rate beyond local averages.
When I first began tutoring on the side, I set my rate and acquired a client. Later, when I hired a tutor for my own son, I realized her rate, despite less than five years of experience and general certification, was higher than mine, even though I had over a decade of experience and dual certifications. Seeing that her rate reflected local market norms encouraged me to reevaluate my own pricing. This highlights the importance of checking local rates and being confident in charging what your skills and expertise are truly worth!
Tutoring on the Side vs. Tutoring as a Primary Income
Tutors may approach pricing from very different situations. Some intentionally charge lower rates because tutoring is supplemental income, seasonal work, or a way to give back. Others rely on tutoring as their primary income and must account for unpaid planning time, professional development, insurance, taxes, office rent, and more. Neither approach is inherently better or more ethical. The most important thing is that your rate is sustainable for you and honest about the role tutoring plays in your life.
Ways to Make Tutoring More Affordable for Families
A family’s level of involvement or commitment to their child’s education is not determined by income. Many deeply engaged, supportive families still need tutoring to remain financially accessible, and affordability often reflects circumstances rather than values.
I know firsthand how difficult it can be when families need support but struggle to afford it. Literacy is a basic human right, and I want every child to have the tools they need to succeed. This motivates me to explore ways to make tutoring more accessible while still running a sustainable practice. As a person who is newer to full-time tutoring, I’ll continue exploring the possibilities and sharing them with you.
Consider Teaching Students in Groups: Teaching 2-4 students at the same time will maximize the number of students you can support while also helping families save money. If you’re wondering how to get groups started, consider offering a quick, free screening for families who are interested. Sort the students by skill and offer the families a slot. With proper planning and a little luck, you can start teaching small groups on your own terms.
Another option is to merge your current students into pairs or groups based on who would work well together. If you have two students working on the same skills at the same pace, speak to the family about potentially merging their 1:1 sessions into 2:1 sessions.
Explore Scholarship Options for Homeschool Students: Several states offer funding that homeschool families can use for education-related expenses. Curriculum, supplies, books, and tutoring may be eligible for reimbursement or “direct pay,” straight from the family’s scholarship account to your business. Some examples include Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), and the Utah Fits All Scholarship. Google “[Your State] Homeschool Scholarship” to see what options are available in your area. Eligibility, restrictions, and documentation requirements vary, so be sure you understand your state’s program before making any moves.
Consider Sharing Responsibility with the Parents: This option may work well for homeschool families and children of teachers. If the parent has the time and the motivation to deliver some of their child’s instruction, consider training them in a parent-friendly program like UFLI Foundations. The child would complete the first few lessons with you as the teacher while their parent observes. When the parent becomes comfortable, he or she can begin delivering lessons on a day (or days) when the child does not work with you.
The goal may be for the tutor and the parent to trade off lessons, which allows the tutor to monitor progress while the parent becomes more comfortable teaching the lessons. Alternatively, the tutor and the parent can work towards the parent taking full responsibility for instruction once he or she is comfortable with the program.
Explore the Use of Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): If a child has an official diagnosis of dyslexia, their pediatrician can provide a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) stating that the child requires specific “treatment” for their dyslexia. With the LMN, the cost of tutoring may be eligible for reimbursement. Eligibility varies, and families should check with their plan administrator.
Did I Miss Anything? Share Your Tips on How Much a Reading Tutor Should Charge
I’ve shared the factors I consider when deciding how much to charge as a reading tutor, but I’m always learning. If you’re a tutor with experience, or even just thinking about starting out, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Did I miss any important considerations? What’s worked for you when setting your rates? Your insights could help other tutors navigate this challenging question, too!
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Sample Tutoring Rates by Location*
Below is a list of self-reported rates from tutors in the Wilson Reading System Facebook group in 2024.
*These numbers are shared purely for informational purposes to give a sense of what tutors in different regions may charge. Keep in mind: some tutors may work virtually, and not all tutors serve only their local area. Rates also vary based on experience, certifications, specialization, and local demand. Your own rate may be higher or lower depending on your skills, the students you serve, and the families you work with.
Arizona: $75
California:
- San Diego: $125
- Santa Cruz: $100
- Truckee: $90
Denver, Colorado: $85
Connecticut: $100
Boca Raton, Florida: $100
Georgia:
- Atlanta: $60
- Greater Atlanta: $85
- North Metro Atlanta: $65
Illinois:
- Chicago: $90
- Chicago suburbs: $60
- Northern Illinois: $50
- Southwest Chicago suburbs: $90, $65
Massachusetts:
- North of Boston: $65
- South of Boston: $70
- Worcester: $75
Missouri:
- No specific location given: $40
- Metro St. Louis: $65
- St. Louis: $70
Southern New Hampshire: $80/hour
New Jersey:
- No specific location given: $50
- Central NJ: $50
- Northern NJ: $75
- Southern NJ: $60
New York:
- Brooklyn: $150
- Long Island: $100
- NYC: $50
- NYC suburbs: $95
- Westchester County: $100
North Carolina
- Chapel Hill: $70
- Rural: $60
Ohio: $80
Pennsylvania:
- Chester County: $60
- Delaware County: $70
- Philadelphia: $100
- Greater Philadelphia $100, $75, $60
- Scranton: $50
Rhode Island: $90-100
Greenville, South Carolina: $63
Other:
- Midwest: $40, $60
- Europe: $100
