Tutors

Summary

What Tutors Do About this section

Tutors review learning material with students.

Tutors instruct students individually or in small groups to support formal class instruction or improve academic performance. Some tutors prepare students for standardized or admissions tests.

Duties

Tutors typically do the following:

• Set goals with students
• Assist students with homework or practice problems
• Teach students organizational and study skills
• Provide feedback to students
• Review learning materials with students
• Prepare session materials or practice questions
• Monitor student progress to discuss with students, parents, or teachers

Tutors work with students one-on-one or in groups to help them learn or to reinforce subject material. For example, they may help students with homework assignments or review worksheets, drills, or other academic exercises. They may create tools and activities, such as educational games, or find resources in textbooks or online.

Tutors structure their lessons based on a variety of factors, including their students’ needs and age. For example, some students may respond well to rapid-response or high-energy activities while other students, such as those with disabilities, may require a slower pace or less sensory stimulation.

Tutors also may help students improve their study and organizational skills. They may help students develop good habits through the use of tools, such as  flash cards, and strategies, including note-taking systems or calendars for managing time.

The following are examples of types of tutors:

Language and ESL tutors assist students who are learning a foreign language or English as a second language (ESL). They may help students develop fluency or literacy by focusing on grammar, pronunciation, reading, and writing in the target language.

Special education tutors work with students who have physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities. These tutors develop lesson plans and teaching methods based on the specific needs of each student. Special education tutors may help with life skills and social skills in addition to academic subjects.

Subject tutors typically help with homework or other coursework and with reteaching concepts. These tutors typically have a background in the subject that they tutor. For example, a math tutor may have a degree in mathematics or have completed numerous mathematics or related courses.

Test preparation tutors help students prepare for standardized examinations that measure knowledge or skills in a consistent, or “standard,” manner. These tutors may work with students on developing test-taking strategies, such as time management and question analysis, specific to their standardized test.

Work Environment About this section

Tutors work in a variety of settings, such as schools and tutoring centers.

Tutors held about 195,100 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of tutors were as follows:

Tutors work in a variety of settings, such as schools and tutoring centers. Some tutors travel to students’ homes. 

Work Schedules

Most tutors work part time, and their schedules may vary. For example, they may work evenings and weekends and may have more hours during the school year or leading up to standardized test dates. Because such schedules are common, many of these workers hold other jobs or attend school outside of their tutoring hours.

How to Become a Tutor About this section

Tutors must find creative ways to keep students engaged in learning.

Tutors typically need to have completed some college courses, specifically in the subjects that they want to teach. However, education requirements vary. Some employers do not require credentials; others prefer to hire tutors who have a bachelor's degree.  

Education and Training

Tutors typically need to have some college education, specifically in subjects that they want to teach. Some tutors, such as those still in high school, may not have completed college courses but have a strong knowledge or background in a specific subject.

Some employers require that tutors have a bachelor's degree in a field such as education. Other employers may prefer to hire tutors whose degree relates closely to their tutoring subject, such as mathematics or a foreign language.  

Depending on the position, tutors may receive training on the job.

Other Experience

Test preparation tutors usually need to have scored highly on the standardized tests for which they help students prepare. Student tutors, such as those in college, may need a minimum grade point average (GPA) or must have high grades in the subjects that they tutor.

Some employers prefer to hire tutors who have teaching experience or who have a state-issued teaching certification or license.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Tutors must explain concepts in terms that students can understand. They may need to discuss student progress with parents or teachers.

Creativity. Tutors must be able to keep students engaged in learning. They may have to change their methods of instruction to address the needs of different students.

Instructional skills. Tutors must understand the fundamentals of teaching and lesson planning. They must adjust their teaching style and lessons to meet the needs of each student.

Organizational skills. Tutors must coordinate schedules with students, parents, or employers. They must prepare lesson plans and instructional materials for tutoring sessions.

Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Tutors must be patient, especially with students who may become distracted or who struggle to master the material.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for tutors was $39,580 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,440.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for tutors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most tutors work part time, and their schedules may vary. For example, they may work evenings and weekends and may have more hours during the school year or leading up to standardized test dates. 

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of tutors is projected to grow 1 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 34,000 openings for tutors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment growth for tutors will depend on the size of the student population requiring additional academic assistance. Demand for private tutoring services will continue as students preparing for college strive to differentiate themselves from other applicants through academic achievement. Also, some applicants to graduate school programs will hire tutors to help them prepare for entrance exams. The ability of schools, students, and families to pay for tutoring services will impact future demand for these workers.

The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing availability of large language model (LLM) software will somewhat reduce the need for tutors, since many of their regular activities can be completed by online software. Companies with large inventories of practice tests, assessments, and assignments for various academic subjects and standardized tests will be able to provide digital services that were previously only available with a personal or private tutor.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Tutors

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about tutors or educational resources, visit

City Year

Learning Disabilities Association of America

National College Learning Center Association

National Organization for Student Success

O*NET

Tutors