3 Reasons to Consider Becoming an Online Tutor

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By Heather Fishel

Are you looking for a job that’s flexible and convenient, one that you can do on your own schedule? If you’re knowledgeable in a particular academic subject or topic, you can find work as a tutor. Today, students aren’t just getting academic help from in-person tutors – they’re turning to online tutors who can teach them any time, from any place. With an internet connection and your own knowledge, you can work as an online tutor. From basic subjects like language arts and social science to more advanced material like AP courses and college prep, online tutors can teach any subject from anywhere.

Online tutoring is a flexible, customizable, and well-paying job. And as increasingly more students rely on technology as part of their education, more and more online tutors will be needed. This in-demand field offers plenty of potential for anyone who’s looking for part-time work.

Is online tutoring as great of a job as it seems? Here are three reasons why becoming a tutor could be a great choice.

1. Tutors Can Earn $20 or More Per Hour

One of the biggest perks of online tutoring is the potential for a fantastic income. Tutors, who are typically experts in the subjects they teach, can command high pay rates. And the more knowledgeable you are, the more you may be able to make.

According to Payscale, the average hourly rate for an online tutor is $19.65. There are two ways to make money as an online tutor: you can work independently and set your own per-student or per-hour rate, or you can work with a company. For tutors who work with a company, average rates can range from $20 an hour to $30 per hour.

However, your pay can increase depending on what it is that you tutor. For example, a basic English or Math tutor for middle school and high school students might make $20 an hour. But tutors who teach more advanced subjects like SAT prep or calculus can make between $50 and $60 an hour.

2. Tutoring Jobs Are Flexible and Remote

While plenty of tutors meet with students in person, there’s a new and growing trend changing the field. Increasingly more students are choosing to meet with tutors online, via services like Skype and Google Hangouts. This means that online tutoring allows you to meet with students from anywhere in the world – and that means you’re no longer limited to local students during certain after-school times only.

When you work as an online tutor, you aren’t bound by restrictions. You can set your own schedule and work any daily or weekly hours you’d like. You can work all day long, meeting with students virtually from any location. Or, you can stick to short, more local shifts after school. You choose the days you’d like to work, and you choose the days you’d like off. It’s entirely up to you.

Additionally, online tutoring is done remotely. You can work right from home, or anywhere else you have access to the internet. You can work from your couch, while you’re out of town, or even from a dorm on a college campus. This makes working as an online tutor incredibly easy, as there’s no commute and no need to be in one physical location.

3. Tutors Don’t Need a College Degree

Many jobs and career paths require a college degree. However, tutors don’t have to hold a degree of any kind.

Whether you’re a high school or college student, a working professional, or simply someone interested in teaching, you can become a tutor. Many popular online tutoring platforms, like Tutor.com, don’t require tutors to hold a college degree. All you need is a wealth of knowledge in the subject you’d like to tutor.

Different tutoring companies have different requirements, so make sure to check before applying. Some do require tutors to have at least a bachelor’s degree in the subjects they teach. Others may require you to have teaching experience or certifications. And others may even require you to have a degree solely for specific subjects.

But many online tutoring companies and platforms are flexible. You can work with any kind of background, and you’ll just be asked to pass an exam or provide proof of your qualifications. Look into requirements before applying, and you’ll find a job that’s a perfect fit.

How to Find Online Tutoring Jobs

If you’re searching for a job that pays well and offers flexibility, online tutoring could be the perfect fit. Tutoring allows you to teach any subject that you’re an expert in, and you don’t always need a degree to be able to find a job. As long as you’re knowledgeable and experienced, you can teach students of varying levels. And you can do so right from the comfort of your own home.

To get started as an online tutor, you’ll need to search for jobs. You can do this in two ways: either work for an established tutoring company or work as an independent contractor. If you work for a company, you’ll need to search for tutoring companies that offer online tutoring and apply for the subjects you’d like to tutor. Want to work on your own? You can search online for individuals who are looking to hire a tutor, or you can post ads of your own letting potential clients know you’re available.

In either case, the internet will be your best resource. Search for ways to advertise or find work as a tutor. Compare different companies’ job openings, pay rates, and available subjects. And don’t forget to check out internet job boards to see what’s available for tutors searching for work.

Heather Fishel

Contributor