How Much to Charge for Tutoring Per Hour
Private tutoring typically runs $30–$60 per hour for elementary and middle school subjects, $50–$90 for high school math and science, and $75–$150+ for SAT/ACT and advanced test prep. In-home adds $10–$25 for travel, and specialized subjects command more. Bill monthly blocks rather than per session — recurring students are the business, and hourly invoicing is where the time goes.
Rates by subject and level
| Subject / level | Typical hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary / middle school | $30–$60 |
| High school math & science | $50–$90 |
| AP / advanced subjects | $60–$110 |
| SAT / ACT test prep | $75–$150+ |
| Specialized (dyslexia, executive function) | $80–$150 |
In-home is a different rate
Add $10–$25 or set a distinct in-home rate. Travel between clients is unpaid time that directly caps how many sessions you can fit in a day.
Group sessions raise your hourly
Two students at $40 each is $80 an hour for one hour of your time. Small-group test prep is the cleanest way to raise effective rate without raising your price.
Bill the month
Per-session invoicing is what makes tutoring feel like a hassle. A monthly block on a card on file removes the collection work entirely and reserves the slot.
Related: tutoring invoice template.
Frequently asked questions
Why does test prep pay more?
Because the outcome is measurable and high-stakes. A score improvement has a clear dollar value to families in scholarship and admissions terms, and that's reflected in what the market pays.
Should I charge for travel to in-home sessions?
Add $10–$25 or set a higher in-home rate. A session 25 minutes away costs you nearly an extra hour, and back-to-back in-home clients across a city cap your daily earnings hard.
Monthly or per session?
Monthly, for regular students. Two sessions a week is eight invoices a month billed per session; one monthly invoice on a card on file is the same revenue with a fraction of the administration.