When it comes to hiring a tutor, there’s a great range in terms of tutoring prices — on average, the low end starts around $18-21 per hour, and that can soar upwards of $100 per hour or more, based on a variety of factors (more on this shortly). Lindsey Wander, founder and CEO at WorldWise Tutoring, notes that she charges $75 an hour for in-person elementary school tutoring in both the Chicago and Houston areas and $10 less for virtual lessons. But, depending on the help a student needs, prices can be significantly more or less.
Looking for the latest tutoring prices? Read on to learn the average rate for tutoring, based on grade level, subject matter, location, as well as more specialized tutoring and more.
How much does a tutor cost?
Here are the average tutoring rates by grade level and type, based on what tutors are asking for on Care.com, as well as pricing shared by tutoring experts Lindsey Wander and Greg Freebury, owner of Think & Evolve Tutoring.
Average posted tutoring rates by grade level and type
| Grade Level/Type | Rates from* | Up to** |
| Elementary school tutors | $23/hr | $75/hr |
| Middle school tutors | $23/hr | $88/hr |
| High school tutors | $23/hr | $98/hr |
| College tutors | $22/hr | $60-$110+/hr |
| Test prep tutors | $23/hr | $100+/hr |
**Rate information, according to interviews with experts in February 2023.
“The range of prices will be somewhat similar for students in elementary school, middle school and high school,” says Freebury. “However, for college level students, the floor of tutoring rates will increase because college requires more specialized knowledge from tutors.”
“College tutoring rates generally start at $60-70 an hour,” Freebury says, noting that “college students can receive help for free at tutoring centers provided by the colleges and universities.”
SAT/ACT test prep tutoring, on the other hand, starts at about $100 an hour, according to Freebury. “Standardized test prep is generally one of the more expensive types of tutoring because these tests are very high stakes,” he says.
What factors impact tutoring rates?
While the hourly rates above are the averages across the country, it’s important to keep in mind that a number of factors can — and will — impact a tutor’s hourly rate, including:
- Type of tutoring: Prices vary if it’s private, center based or through an agency.
- Number of students: One-on-one tutoring often costs more than group tutoring.
- Online vs. in-person: Virtual tutoring can cost a little less.
- Your location: Tutoring usually costs more in bigger cities with a higher cost of living.
- Tutor’s experience: The more teaching hours a tutor has under their belt, the more they can charge, according to Freebury.
- Subject matter: “Math and science tutors tend to be the most expensive” because these subjects are so technical, says Freebury. Same goes for test prep.
- Specialized needs: “Not all tutors are equipped to work with kids with learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia and autism,” Freebury says. “You can expect to pay more for tutors with special education degrees or experience teaching these types of special needs students.”
Taking note of these possible variables, let’s take a look at price breakdowns for some of the popular types of tutoring.
How much does a private tutor cost?
“In a region like the Midwest, you might be able to find a tutor that will meet in person for as little as $30 an hour, [whereas] in places like New York and Los Angeles, tutoring rates can be between $100-$200 an hour,” Freebury explains, adding that private tutors set their own rates and these rates can “have great range.”
For reference, here’s the average posted tutoring rates in 15 U.S. cities, according to recent Care data.
Current posted tutoring rates per hour in top U.S. cities*
| City, State | Hourly Tutoring Rate |
| Brooklyn, New York | $25.10/hr |
| Seattle, Washington | $24.90/hr |
| Portland, Oregon | $22.37/hr |
| Denver, Colorado | $22.36/hr |
| Chicago, Illinois | $21.93/hr |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $21.26/hr |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $21.20/hr |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | $20.83/hr |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $20.60/hr |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | $20.18/hr |
| Kansas City, Missouri | $19.97/hr |
| Orlando, Florida | $19.91/hr |
| Richmond, Virginia | $19.43/hr |
| San Antonio, Texas | $18.70/hr |
| Des Moines, Iowa | $19.02/hr |
How much does a tutoring center charge?
Tutoring centers such as Kumon or Tutor Doctor “typically charge $50-$75 an hour,” Freebury notes, explaining that tutoring centers are generally one of the more affordable options.
“However,” he adds, “students do not get individualized attention like they would in a private one-on-one session. Tutoring centers tend to focus more on simply providing a space where students can receive tutoring assistance and homework help instead of focused and dedicated assistance, so they tend to be less expensive than an agency.”
Because of this, Freebury generally advises against going with a tutoring center in favor of a private tutor, if it’s in your budget.
How much does a tutoring agency charge?
Freebury, who previously worked at a tutoring agency that charged $200 an hour, notes that this is generally most expensive kind of tutoring.
“A tutoring agency is an organization that specializes in comprehensive tutoring services such as multi-subject tutoring, integration of psychologist reports and learning difference diagnoses for students and a case manager,” explains Freebury. “Each student receives a great amount of individualized attention and accommodation; therefore, these types of companies tend to be more expensive.”
How much does an online tutor cost?
“If you are open to online lessons, this can reduce the cost significantly,” Freebury says. “Using sites like Wyzant [which offers one-on-one tutoring], it is not difficult to find highly rated tutors for $20 to $30 an hour.”
If you’re using a private tutor virtually, Wander notes, you can expect to pay about $10 less per hour than you would for tutoring in person.
Are there hidden costs when hiring a tutor?
Generally, tutoring costs are straightforward, but Freebury notes that sometimes there may be a service fee for each lesson when using an online service (such as Wyzant).
Are there any discounts available for students or families with financial need?
There are a number of organizations that offer free tutoring for low income families, according to Freebury, who personally volunteers for School On Wheels, an organization that offers free tutoring to Southern California students that are unhoused or live in temporary housing.
To find organizations that offer free tutoring in your areas, Freebury recommends checking out the website School Choice Week.
In addition to free tutoring organizations, Freebury also recommends asking about package deals.
“Most private tutors don’t offer financial aid or scholarships, but sometimes they’ll offer package deals where the student can get a discount on lessons if they are willing to buy multiple lessons upfront,” he says. “Don’t hesitate to ask if a prospective tutor is willing to offer a bulk deal. Many tutors will be enticed by the idea of being paid upfront.”