Quick answer
- US: most private tutors charge $25-$80 an hour;2 one 2026 guide puts the national average at $40-$80, with specialized subjects in big cities over $150.1
- Test prep runs higher: most SAT tutoring is $50-$200 an hour.6
- Canada: most private tutors charge $30-$80 CAD an hour; student tutors about $15-$35.8 By grade: $30-$75 elementary, $40-$80 middle school, $55-$100 high school.7
Rates by who's tutoring
| Tutor | US (USD) | Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| High school or college student | Care.com's overall average is around $24/hr3 | $12-$16 for a student tutor, $10-$20 for students working privately9; $15-$358 |
| Experienced independent tutor | $25-$80/hr2; $40-$80 average1; $60-$150 for private math tutors (a learning-center company's figures)4 | $30-$80/hr for most private tutors8 |
| Certified teacher or specialist | $150+ for specialized subjects in big cities1 | $100 or more for a certified teacher9 |
| Test prep (SAT and similar) | $50-$200/hr6 | - |
| Learning centers | $31-$62/hr4 | Agency minimum often around $45/hr11 |
Subject matters too. Math, sciences and languages, plus anything tied to exams, sit at the higher end; general homework help sits lower.
Is $25, $30 or $50 an hour good for tutoring?
- $25 an hour is at the bottom of the typical US range of $25-$802 - fair for a student tutor or general homework help, low for an experienced tutor.
- $30 an hour is a common starting rate for newer tutors, and inside the Canadian range of $30-$75 for elementary students.7
- $50 an hour isn't too much. It's in the middle of the US national average of $40-$801 and right for middle and high school subjects in Canada.7 With teaching experience or test prep, you can charge more.
The deciding factors are your experience, the subject, the grade level and your local market. If parents book you without hesitating and your schedule is full, that's usually a sign to raise your rate for new students.
What should a high school or college student charge?
Student tutors usually charge less than certified teachers, and parents expect that. Canadian figures put students working privately at $10-$20 an hour9 and student tutors overall at $15-$35.8 In the US, Care.com reports an overall average around $24 an hour.3 A university student tutoring a subject they excel in - especially math or a second language - can reasonably aim for the upper end of those ranges.
Rates differ by state and province
Location changes rates a lot. One 2026 guide found tutoring cheapest in Texas at an average of $25.28 an hour,5 while big-city specialists can charge several times that.1 In Canada, Toronto, Vancouver and other large cities sit higher than smaller towns. Check what tutors in your own area list publicly before setting your rate.
Monthly pricing and packages
Parents often search for "how much does a tutor cost per month". The answer is simply your session price times the sessions you agree on - weekly one-hour sessions at $50 is about $200-$250 a month, depending on how many weeks fall in the month.
Prepaid packages (for example, 4 or 10 sessions paid up front) help in two ways: steadier income for you and fewer last-minute cancellations. A small discount for prepaying is common; so is a cancellation window, such as 24 hours' notice.
Online vs in person
Online platforms list tutoring at about $25-$75 an hour,4 and online sessions save you travel time - so many tutors charge the same or slightly less online. If you travel to students' homes, add a travel charge or build it into your in-person rate.
Tutoring rates in Canada
- Most private tutors: $30-$80 CAD an hour; experienced independents often $40-$65.8
- By grade: $30-$75 elementary, $40-$80 middle school, $55-$100 high school.7
- Overall range: CA$25-$80 an hour.10
- Agencies: often a minimum around $45 an hour.11
If tutoring becomes a real business, register for GST/HST once your taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. Note that some tutoring and educational services may be treated differently for GST/HST, so check how your service is classified.
Common questions
Is $50 an hour too much for tutoring?
No - $50 is in the middle of the US national average of $40-$80 an hour, and typical for middle and high school subjects in Canada. Test prep and specialized subjects go higher.
Is $25 an hour good for tutoring?
It's at the low end of the US range ($25-$80). It suits student tutors or general homework help; experienced tutors usually charge more.
How much should I charge for tutoring as a high school or college student?
Student tutors in Canada typically charge $15-$35 an hour, and $10-$20 when working privately. A strong student in math or a language can aim for the top of that range.
How much should I charge for tutoring in Texas?
One 2026 guide found Texas the cheapest state for tutoring, at an average of $25.28 an hour. Rates rise with experience, subject and test prep.
How much do tutors charge in Canada?
Most private tutors charge $30-$80 CAD an hour, with $30-$75 for elementary, $40-$80 for middle school and $55-$100 for high school students.
Let parents book sessions with you directly
On 1MinuteBooking, students and parents book 1-on-1 tutoring, group sessions or exam prep, tell you the subject and grade, and weekly students rebook in one click. Free plan, no time limit.
See the tutoring booking pageSources
- TutorBase, How Much to Charge for Tutoring: A 2026 Pricing Guide
- TutorCruncher, Average Tutoring Rates USA: How Much Do Tutors Charge
- Care.com, How much does a tutor cost?
- Mathnasium, How Much Does Math Tutoring Cost? See Beyond Price
- Brighterly, Average Tutoring Rates Per Hour (2026): Full Cost Guide
- College Review, How Much Does SAT Tutoring Cost in 2026?
- TutorLyft (Canada), How Much Does a Tutor Cost Per Hour in Canada? Pricing
- Biller.ca (Canada), Tutoring Rates in Canada (2026): Tutor Prices Per Hour
- Indeed Canada, How Much Should You Pay a Tutor Per Hour? (With Rates)
- Wise (Canada), Average Tutoring Rates in Canada: Hourly Costs Explained
- Tutoring with a Twist (Canada), How Much Does a Tutor Cost in Canada? Full Pricing Info (agency pricing)
Prices are what these sources published as of September-October 2026. Rates vary by city, season and the job itself - use them as a starting point, not a rule.