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Want to make money for teaching others what you already know? On its face, that’s what online tutoring jobs for college students have to offer. Tutoring jobs for college students can be a simple way to make money while balancing a course load. However, the demands of online tutoring jobs for students differ based on the service they work with and the subject matter they choose to teach. Not all online tutoring is created equal, and some services (and subjects) are more lucrative than others. Read on to learn more about how to make the most out of tutoring jobs for college students.
What Does Online Tutoring Involve?
Most online tutoring involves video conferencing with one or more students to help them better understand a particular subject. Some services require tutors to adhere to their specific curriculum, but others don’t.
How Much Does Online Tutoring Pay?
Online tutoring can pay anywhere from $15 an hour all the way up to $125 an hour. Rates for remote tutoring jobs for college students vary based on a tutor’s experience, the subject matter in which they’re tutoring, the age and background of the students they’re tutoring, and the online platform where they’re tutoring. Additionally, some services pay tutors based on sessions taught, while others offer cash when tutors answer student questions on demand.
11 Online Tutoring Jobs for College Students
On the hunt for the perfect tutoring jobs for college students? The following services are the top-ranking for online tutoring. To compile this list, we pulled the top three jobs from each of the top five search results for the phrase “online tutoring jobs for college students.”
1. Tutor.com
Tutor.com offers tutoring in over 250 subjects, for everyone from K-12 students to professionals in continuing education. The site has been around since the late ’80s and is partnered with The Princeton Review® to offer test prep service tutoring. Pay range: Varies based on subject and experienceTutor.com requirements:
Reside in and be eligible to work in the U.S.
A valid Social Security number
Available at least five hours a week to tutor
Must be at least a currently enrolled college sophomore or have at least a four-year degree from an accredited university
Expert in the subject area
Strong written and oral communication skills in the English language
2. TutorMe
TutorMe offers on-demand tutoring and courses for over 300 subjects, including everything from basic math to language lessons. Tutoring is done through the site’s proprietary platform, which includes teaching aids like a virtual whiteboard and real-time chat. Pay range: $16/hourTutorMe requirements:
At least 18 years old
Prior tutoring or teaching experience
Mastery of subject tutored
Enrolled in or graduated from an accredited university
3. Studypool
Studypool offers a variety of income sources for tutors, including virtual and in-person sessions. It also offers compensation when tutors answer student questions, meaning tutors don’t have to teach a whole session to make money.Additionally, tutors can make money uploading documents — anything from homework to study guides to old exams — to the site. Tutors aren’t required to have set hours.Pay range: Varies by subject and serviceStudypool requirements:
Tutors must be a college student or provide proof of college degree
4. Cambly
Cambly offers English language tutoring on demand. Tutors aren’t required to have a degree, just fluency in English. The site pays tutors just for talking with students across the globe, and tutors are paid by the minute for their chat sessions. Pay range:
$10.20/hour ($0.17/minute) on Cambly
$12.00/hour ($0.20/minute) on Cambly Kids
Cambly requirements:
English fluency
5. Magic Ears
Magic Ears offers English language learning for kids ages 4 to 12. Online tutoring sessions have up to four students, and Magic Ears tutors teach from the site’s curriculum, using platform tools to teach classes.Pay range: Up to $26/hourMagic Ears requirements:
English fluency
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree or proof of at least a bachelor’s degree
120-hour ESL Certification
ESL or teaching experience preferred
6. Yup
Yup is an online tutoring platform specifically for math topics. The site’s application process is more rigorous than other companies, stating that it only accepts 5% of applicants based on their background and performance on a teaching exam. Tutors on Yup set their schedules and receive professional development training opportunities on the platform. Pay range: $10 to $15/hourYup requirements:
English fluency
Enrolled in or have graduated from an accredited university
Demonstrated mastery of K-8 or 9-12 U.S. mathematics curriculum
Background check
Adherence to platform’s teaching framework
7. Brainfuse
Brainfuse provides online tutoring and support over a variety of subjects, including:
Higher Ed
K-12 school
Job seekers
Veteran support
Because of its wide range of offerings, requirements vary from subject to subject. Brainfuse tutors connect with students online through the platform’s desktop or mobile application.Pay range: $12/hour, on averageBrainfuse requirements: Varies by subject
8. GeeklyHub
GeeklyHub fields student requests to its team of trained and certified “Geeks.” Students can request anything from test prep to subject expertise or editing. Based on a Geek’s profile, they’ll be matched with a request. The service has no minimum hour requirements.Pay range: $20/hour, on averageGeeklyHub requirements:
Relevant experience and competence in subject matter
Agreement to follow the platform’s “Honor Code”
9. TutaPoint
TutaPoint offers online, one-on-one tutoring for students in grades K-12. Sessions can be up to two hours with a tutor, and tutors are required to have a background in some form of education.Pay range: $24/hourTutaPoint requirements:
Professionals with at least two years experience in the education industry (teaching assistants, teachers, professors, etc.)
10. StudyGate
StudyGate offers on-demand homework help and tutoring. It pays its tutors to answer student-submitted questions quickly and thoroughly. Pay per question varies based on urgency and difficulty. There’s no minimum of hours required.Pay range: $50 to $200 per question, or tutoring for $15/hourStudyGate requirements:
Graduate teaching assistant or teaching assistant experience preferred
Experience tutoring online or in person
11. Wyzant
Wyzant is a platform connecting students to online or in-person tutoring. Once Wyzant accepts a tutor onto the platform, they create a profile and set their rates. Wyzant also offers tools to manage tutoring, including a calendar and ratings.Pay range: Tutors set their rateWyzant requirements:
U.S. residency
18+ years old
Pros and Cons of Online Tutoring as a College Student
Online tutoring jobs for college students can be lucrative for some, but they won’t be a good fit for everyone. Here are the pros and cons to consider to help you decide if this is the right high paying college job for you:
Pros
Cons
Most platforms are flexible, allowing you to work around your schedule
On-demand tutoring could mean unpredictable hours and income
Get paid for the knowledge you already have
Pay is based on expertise, and many platforms require a college degree
Access a larger pool of students to tutor across the globe
Most services take a cut of your income
Get started relatively quickly
Can take a long time to earn higher hourly wage
What Sort of Experience Is Needed to Be an Online Tutor?
The type of experience required to be an online tutor will vary based on the requirements of the platform, as well as the subject matter being taught. However, some or all of the following qualifications could help with securing an online tutoring position:
Tutoring experience from another platform or in person through one-on-one sessions or TA-ing,
Certifications, including certified test prep experience or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) accreditation.
Professional experience that suits the subject. For example, some platforms offer Photoshop courses, so if a tutor has extensive personal or professional experience with the software, they may be a great fit.
Which Subjects Are Tutors Most Needed For?
Many platforms are looking for tutors in STEM subjects as well as in the humanities. Based on a few different websites’ roundups, here are some of the subject areas that are most in demand for tutors:
Math
Chemistry
English
Languages (Spanish, French, Mandarin)
SAT prep
The Takeaway
Online tutoring jobs for college students can be a good way to bring in some extra cash while in school, which can help when it comes time to pay off student loans. Just how much someone can make will vary dramatically based on the platform as well as the subject they’re teaching.Online tutors can make more teaching a subject that’s popular and in which they have expertise. However, the on-demand nature of most platforms could make income unpredictable, even with an in-demand subject.
3 Student Loan Refi Tips
Refinancing your student loan can lower your monthly payments and help you adjust your loan term. Compare student loan refinancing rates to find a loan that works for you.
Paying extra each month on your student loan can reduce the interest you pay and so lower your total loan cost over time. (The law prohibits prepayment penalties on federal or private student loans.)
If you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school, you may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can college students work as online tutors?
How much can you get paid to be an online tutor?
Do you need experience to become an online tutor?
Photo credit: iStock/Andrija Nikolic
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About the Author
Emma Diehl
Emma Diehl is a nationally-published journalist with expertise in finance, real estate, and technology. Her work has appeared on NPR, The Huffington Post, Technical.ly, and numerous local publications. When she's not covering the world of personal finance with SoFi, she's probably rollerblading or planning her next meal.
