What is a tutor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Dr. Cynthia Carver,
Karen Chandler Ph.D.
introduction image

A tutor provides one-on-one instruction to students to improve academic performance. Tutors may specialize in a particular skill, such as math, writing, or test-taking. They work with students at all levels, from elementary school to college, and can provide services in person or online. Tutors typically assess a student's abilities, create personalized lesson plans, and provide feedback to help students achieve their goals. Tutors aim to help students improve their understanding and become more successful learners.

What general advice would you give to a Tutor?

D

Dr. Cynthia CarverDr. Cynthia Carver LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor & Chair, Oakland University

Be prepared to work hard - your first year of teaching will be demanding - but know that you are doing important work. We are the profession that makes all others possible. And don't forget to ask for help.
ScoreTutorUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $33,998

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
9.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 11.52%

Black or African American 9.89%

Hispanic or Latino 15.44%

Unknown 5.83%

White 56.84%

Gender

female 62.95%

male 37.05%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
3.9

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
9.4

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Tutor?

Pros

  • Flexible work schedule

  • Ability to set your own rates and earn additional income

  • Developing meaningful relationships with students and families

  • Possibility of gaining valuable teaching experience for future careers

  • Opportunity to work from home or remotely

Cons

  • Difficulty finding consistent work or enough clients to sustain income

  • Time spent preparing for sessions outside of tutoring hours

  • Difficulty setting boundaries with students and families

  • Lack of benefits or job security

  • Possible stress from working in an ever-changing educational landscape.

Tutor career paths

Key steps to become a tutor

  1. Explore tutor education requirements

    Most common tutor degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.9 %

    Associate

    12.9 %

    Master's

    10.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific tutor skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Math25.54%
    Mathematics12.10%
    Academic Subjects4.95%
    Muse3.97%
    Organic Chemistry3.53%
  3. Complete relevant tutor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tutors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tutor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tutor resumes.
  4. Research tutor duties and responsibilities

    • Used different tools to achieve student success such as the whiteboard, websites, and role playing.
    • Work with students in kindergarten through calculus to teach math concepts in small group or individual settings.
    • Tutor advance placement high school students in biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and environmental science.
    • Provide outstanding in home tutoring to various struggling students grades k-12 with emphasis on improving reading and math skills.
  5. Prepare your tutor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tutor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tutor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Tutor Resume templates

    Build a professional Tutor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Tutor resume.
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  6. Apply for tutor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a tutor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Tutor Job

Zippi

Are you a Tutor?

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Average tutor salary

The average Tutor salary in the United States is $33,998 per year or $16 per hour. Tutor salaries range between $22,000 and $52,000 per year.

Average Tutor Salary
$33,998 Yearly
$16.35 hourly

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How do tutors rate their job?

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Tutor reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

Working with young minds. Community impact.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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