If you’re looking for a great work from home job, one where you can really make a difference in someone’s life, then you might have thought about exploring online tutoring jobs.
Many people enjoy online tutoring because of the flexibility, and you can earn good money as well. Plus, it has all of the feel-good benefits of being a teacher.
If you’ve thought about becoming an online tutor, here’s a quick overview of what you can expect.
Online Tutoring Jobs
What Qualifications Do I Need to Be an Online Tutor?
Most companies require you to have a college degree in order to be a tutor. Some companies will require that your degree match the subject you’d like to tutor. If you are a current college student some companies will still allow you to apply, though they may require a minimum GPA and other criteria.
Beyond that, you’ll need to have a computer and equipment that meets requirements, internet access, and a flexible schedule.
How Online Tutoring Jobs Work
There are different types of online tutoring, so depending on your situation, any or all of these could apply to you.
Most online tutoring jobs involve a one-on-one tutoring format. Typically, students (or their parents) purchase a set amount of your time in which you review a given subject with the student.
The other possibility is a virtual classroom of students, all learning the same thing. This closely approximates being an actual teacher, as you have to teach to many students at once and monitor each student’s progress and absorption of the materials.
There is also synchronous and asynchronous tutoring. In synchronous tutoring, you and the students are online and interacting at the same time. In asynchronous tutoring, students supply questions that you answer at a later time. Most online tutoring is synchronous.
During the application process, you will discuss your subjects of expertise with the tutoring company. They may ask you to tutor several subjects that broadly relate to your expertise, or to specialize in the one that you’re most qualified for. In general, the more varied your expertise, the more students you’ll be qualified to tutor.
There are also differences in how agencies approach tutoring. Some require scheduled appointments; with these, you give the tutoring company your work schedule, and they schedule the appointments. Others are on-demand, in which you are online for a set period of time, and students can log on and off at their leisure to ask you questions.
The students that you’ll encounter could range from elementary age all the way to college students; this will depend on the company you work for, as well as your expertise. The subjects you’ll cover are similar; if you’re a general-knowledge teacher in an elementary class, for example, you might be asked to cover a wide range of subjects.
Some of your students may be preparing for college entrance exams, in which case your tutoring will be much more specialized and may even cover test-taking strategies as well as specific knowledge.
What’s Expected In Online Tutoring Jobs?
You will be expected to be punctual and reliable. After all, if you don’t show up for your tutoring appointments, it reflects poorly on the company – and there is a lot of competition in the online tutoring world.
You will be expected to know your subject, and be able to convey your knowledge to the students.
Of course, you will not be expected to actually do the work for the student; instead, you will need to guide them to find the solutions on their own. This may include teaching them how to effectively take notes in class, study, or other educational skills.
What Will My Hours Be?
For scheduled appointments, you can expect to work outside school hours – anywhere from 3-10pm is a common appointment time.
For on-demand tutoring, it depends on the needs of the company and the locations they serve. Some companies offer 24/7 tutoring, so your schedule could be anytime during the day. These companies may even allow you to set your schedule week-to-week, giving you plenty of freedom.
How Much Can I Make?
This will depend largely on the company you work for, the subjects you teach, and the demand for your expertise.
If you teach more complex, higher education subjects, you can expect to make much more than a general education tutor. Of course, you’re also likely to need a more advanced degree.
Also, if the subject you teach is one that’s highly in demand, such as math or science, you will have plenty of opportunities to make money. You’ll be much more likely to have a full schedule than someone who tutors a less popular subject.
What Companies Hire For Online Tutoring Jobs?
These companies hire for academic tutoring in K-12, college, and test prep.
Aim-for-A Tutoring
Full-time and part-time tutoring positions available in K-12, college, and college test prep.
EduWizards
Hires online tutors for K-12, college test prep, and ESL. You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher for consideration. EduWizards has an option for freelance and salaried tutoring.
Tutor.com
Part-time work from home tutoring. Choose your hours anytime on a 24/7 platform. Tutors are selected after a five-step application process.
Chegg
Offers flexible online tutoring jobs that let you login whenever you like and get paid every week. Chegg says their top tutors earn $1,000 or more per month.
Varsity Tutors
Test prep and academic tutoring. Choose your hours with twice weekly pay.
WyzAnt
WyzAnt is a tutoring marketplace where tutors of all experience levels can list services.
e-Tutor
K-12 tutoring. You must have a Bachelor’s degree for consideration.
Brainfuse
Brainfuse offers several services, including online tutoring for college students, homework help for libraries, and K-12 test pres and skills buillding.
Magoosh
Online test prep for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, LSAT, and Praxis. Magoosh hires Remote Test Prep Experts who must hold a bachelor’s degree, have previous teaching or tutoring
experience, and can work at least 15 hours per week.
TutorVista
Provides online tutoring, homework assistance, and test prep for K-12 and college students.
Should I Be a Tutor?
Whether tutoring is right for you ultimately depends on your ability to relate to others, as well as your skill in breaking down complex subjects. The pay can be good and the work rewarding.
Do you have experience with online tutoring jobs? Are you a tutor now?
