Tutoring Rates Per Hour: Key Factors and General Overview
reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
Updated on September 23, 2024
Tutoring is a real lifesaver for parents with busy schedules. Even those who can find the time fail to teach their kids because they may lack enough skills and knowledge. This is why math tutoring is often the only option left for parents who want to help their kids improve their math skills. But what are the private math tutoring rates? What are the key factors that generate math tutor hourly rates?
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the average cost of tutoring per hour, as well as how to choose the most appropriate tutor for your kid.
How Much Is Math Tutoring Per Hour?
The math tutoring classes usually cost between $40 and $80 — this is pretty much the standard tutoring rate around the US. However, the tutor fees per hour vary depending on many factors, such as tutoring formats, experience, and qualifications. That is, there are many kinds of tutoring available, and the averages for the various types are also different.
The important thing is, if you’re reading this article, your child probably falls behind in math. Therefore, you must investigate what kind of math tutoring (personal, online, group, or company classes) fits your kid the best before deciding.
Math Private Tutor Rates
Personal math tutoring may cost between 25$ and 100$, depending on where you are. However, tutor fees per hour can go beyond one hundred if you hire a top tutor. High school and college teachers normally have a higher hourly rate than college graduates and math students. Their rate for tutoring is also based on years of teaching, location, travel time, levels of expertise, etc. Tutoring sessions usually last for an hour or a half an hour, depending on the age of a tutored student, and are priced accordingly.
Math tutoring platforms like Brighterly usually have memberships with a certain quantity of weekly lessons, plus various perks like progress reports, lesson recordings, and customer support, depending on the membership type.
Let’s review Brighterly’s pricing in comparison with that of an average US tutor.
Let’s say you choose to have two tutoring sessions per week for your kid. A standard 3-month Brighterly plan with 2 weekly lessons will cost you $198/month (5 progress reports, unused lessons remain on the balance, 24/7 support, and lesson recordings included). But if you decide to go with a private tutor, whose hourly rate is $40, you’ll pay $320 monthly. Therefore, you save around 40% per month with an online math tutoring platform.
Another great thing about Brighterly is that parents love it. Reviews say that children gain much confidence in math. As a result, it alleviates math anxiety and improves grades. And what can make parents happier than some happy and confident kids?
Brighterly Math Tutoring Rates Per Hour
Brighterly tutoring platform offers various plans depending on the payment schedule, the number of lessons chosen, and the perks included. Considering you choose the most profitable option available, the math tutor rate per hour is $13.4 per lesson.
11 Factors that Affect Math Tutor Rates
Plenty of factors affect private math tutoring rates, but here’s the list of the most evident ones.
- Expertise
- Qualifications
- Location
- Tutoring Formats
- Frequency And Duration
- Materials And Resources
- Demand And Availability
- Researching Local Market Rates
- Consideration of Your Child’s Needs
- Negotiating And Communicating
- Trial Sessions
Private tutoring may be more effective than other forms of tutoring, primarily when tutors provide targeted, individualized learning and consider students’ unique learning styles.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #1: Expertise
The math tutor’s hourly rate is mainly based on the tutor’s expertise. It doesn’t mean other factors are unimportant, but expertise plays a significant role in price formation, ultimately impacting the final hour rate. That is, if you have a number of years of experience under your belt, you won’t charge the same amount as a beginner in the field. Private tutors can either be professionally trained teachers or self-taught experts. In that case, their experience and qualifications matter. However, it doesn’t imply that the less experienced tutors have fewer skills in the subject they teach or are less talented. Yet, it does impact how they handle out-of-ordinary situations or difficult students.
Another aspect that can affect tutor charges per hour is certifications and diplomas. As these tutors invested a lot of time, money, and effort in their education, the average cost of tutoring per hour would definitely be higher.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #2: Qualifications
Qualifications refer to the tutor’s education, teaching experience, certifications, and area of expertise. Let’s say you need to find a tutor whose area of expertise would be teaching kids with ADHD. That, naturally, would impact the tutor rate, as they are specifically qualified to work with neurodivergent children.
Advanced degrees (Master’s or Ph. D.), teaching certifications, university teaching experience, knowledge of niche math areas, and unconventional teaching styles will all influence math tutoring prices.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #3: Location
The average cost of tutoring per hour will vary depending on the regional disparity. For example, tutors may be more expensive in cities with high living costs than in rural areas. Also, certain states tend to have higher-than-average tutoring costs, so it’s important to check normal tutoring rates specifically for your region.
Another thing to consider is travel expenses. You have to allocate enough budget to cover these costs for tutors. Online tutoring can significantly reduce these expenses since the sessions take place in virtual rooms. So, if you want to save some money on transport costs, consider hiring a tutor via online tutoring platforms like Brighterly.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #4: Tutoring Formats
Tutoring is pretty versatile and has various formats so that everybody can prosper with their learning. Depending on your child’s specific educational needs, you can choose between:
In-person tutoring
This typically means the tutor comes to the student’s house or has them over at their place. In-person tutoring allows for a more personalized experience, where tutors adapt their techniques based on the student’s specific needs and preferences. The tutor rate for this format can be quite pricey due to transportation or hosting students in a specific studying room.
Online tutoring
If you’re looking for the same benefits of the in-person format but want a more economical option, online tutoring is an obvious choice. It offers real-time interactions between the student and the tutor, fostering a stronger bond that school or group learning can offer. All lessons are held online and require a tablet or a computer.
Group tutoring
Group tutoring involves a small group of learners and a tutor. Normally, 5 people participate in group sessions — one tutor and four students. This way, the tutor’s hourly rate can be the same as the in-person rate, but the price is divided among 4 students.
Learning center tutoring
With learning centers, students attend classes with up to 20 people after school or on weekends. These classes are somehow similar to the school classes but might have a more targeted program, like SAT preparation, etc. This might not be a good option if you want your kid to get individualized attention. However, the price can be convincing.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #5: Frequency And Duration
Short-term or long-term commitment can influence the tutoring average hourly rate. Some tutors prefer to have only long-term students, while others are not opposed to short-term agreements.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #6: Materials And Resources
Additional materials, tools, and resources are factors in forming the tutor fees per hour. Tutors may add additional fees if they have to develop a personalized program or product to meet a child’s unique needs and preferences.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #7: Demand And Availability
Naturally, high-demand tutors may charge higher fees than their counterparts. Some tutors may even create a waiting list. So, the standard tutoring rate for a top-performing tutor can be quite high — the sky’s the limit.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #8: Researching Local Market Rates
Researching local market rates is essential before choosing a tutor. For example, knowing the average cost of tutoring per hour in your area will help you know when a tutor overcharges and vice versa. Things like credentials, availability, and location may all affect tutoring rates.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #9: Considering Your Child’s Needs
Tailoring lessons to accommodate a child’s learning style and emotional requirements comes with an extra cost. Your child’s specific needs can also influence the overall rate. If you’re expecting a similar rate to that of other kids, you might be disappointed if a tutor calculates a slightly different rate for you. Here are a couple of factors that can influence private math tutoring rates.
Learning style
Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles need a customized teaching approach. It also involves curriculum preparation, which can add extra costs.
Academic level
More advanced math plays a significant role in pricing. For example, elementary math would come cheaper than AP calculus.
Special needs
Children with learning disabilities or conditions require a tutor working with neurodivergent kids and relevant training. These professionals normally charge higher.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #10: Negotiating And Communicating
If you found a potentially perfect tutor for your kid, but they are a little out of your price range, it’s okay to negotiate. Most tutors are open to negotiating their tutor charge per hour, especially if you clearly communicate your expectations. However, you shouldn’t expect a 50% reduction, but a 5%-10% off is entirely acceptable.
Math Tutor Rate Factor #11: Trial Sessions
Some (but not everybody) will offer trial sessions. They are usually shorter sessions to understand whether a tutor and a student like each other.
Online math tutoring platforms like Brighterly offer a free demo lesson. The first class lets you and your kid experience the teaching style, ask all essential questions, and learn more about Brighterly’s educational approach.
What Is The Best Type Of Tutoring To Choose For A Child?
The best type of tutoring for your child depends on their unique learning needs and preferences, but it also has to align with your budget; hence, what would be the acceptable rate for tutoring for your family? Finding the right fit for your young one and your family can take some time, but free trial sessions can significantly save you time spent looking for the right teacher, as you don’t have to research too much.
Here are a couple of steps to take to understand what is the best type of tutoring for your child:
- Determine your budget.
Figure out the maximum amount of money you’re willing to pay and work from there. - Consider your options.
Think about how well your kid responds to different types of tutoring. - Try a couple of options.
Finding a long-term tutor for your kid may require you to try several options.
Conclusion
Many factors may affect the average cost of tutoring per hour, including non-obvious reasons such as availability, resources needed, and commitment duration; subject, location, the type of tutoring, tutor’s experience and expertise, and student’s grade or age can also influence the price you’ll pay for tutoring sessions.
Considering all of these factors, the most cost-effective solution would be online tutoring, as it offers the same benefits as in-person tutoring at a fairly reasonable price. If you wish to provide your kid with the best possible budget-friendly math tutoring lessons, book a free demo lesson with Brighterly today!