Tutor jobs in the USA are offered by learning centers such as Sylvan, Huntington and Kumon, by online platforms such as Wyzant and Varsity Tutors, and by schools and AmeriCorps tutoring programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts the median tutor wage at $20.84 an hour and says most tutors work part time. Requirements differ widely: Kumon center assistants need strong high school math or English, while Huntington says its tutors have four-year degrees. On platforms, check the fee first: Wyzant keeps 25% of your rate.
This guide covers what tutors earn, what each company actually requires, how the platforms pay, and how to apply.
What Tutors Earn and the Job Outlook
| Measure | Tutors (BLS) |
|---|---|
| Median wage, May 2025 | $20.84 an hour ($43,350 a year) |
| Lowest 10 percent | Under $14.15 an hour |
| Highest 10 percent | Over $36.53 an hour |
| Typical entry-level education | Some college, no degree |
| Jobs, 2025 | 208,400 |
| Outlook, 2025–35 | 0%, little or no change |
| Openings a year | About 34,200 |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Tutors, and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage percentiles exclude self-employed tutors.
Two things stand out. First, BLS says most tutors work part time, so the yearly figure is not what most tutors take home. Second, employment is not growing, but about 34,200 openings a year still come up as tutors leave or move on, which suits students and teachers looking for side income.
Tutoring Companies and What Each One Requires
| Company | Type | Key requirement | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyzant | Marketplace, online and in person | 18+, US resident, valid SSN | wyzant.com/tutorsignupstart |
| Varsity Tutors | Online, independent contractor | 18+, proof of higher education, background check | varsitytutors.com/tutoring-jobs |
| Sylvan Learning | Franchise centers, plus Marketplace+ | Marketplace+: a related bachelor's degree | sylvanlearning.com/careers |
| Huntington Learning Center | Franchise centers | Four-year degree plus state or Huntington certification | huntingtonhelps.com/careers |
| Kumon | Franchise centers | Center assistants: strong high school math and/or English | kumon.com/employment |
Official sites and help centres of each company, September 2026.
1. Wyzant
Wyzant is a marketplace where you list yourself and students choose you. Tutors "must be at least 18 years old, reside in the United States, and possess a valid Social Security Number", and they are not required to be certified teachers. You set your own hourly rate and travel radius, and you can search jobs by subject and by online or in-person lessons. The registration asks about your teaching experience, degrees, licenses and certifications, and some subjects need a short proficiency quiz.
The fee matters: tutors keep 75% of their posted rate and Wyzant keeps a 25% platform fee, except for students you refer yourself. Wyzant does not require a background check at registration, but a student or parent can request one, which you must then pass.
2. Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors' tutoring jobs page is for online tutoring, with an application and a video interview, and pay twice a week. Applicants confirm they are 18 or older, have a valid US or Canadian government-issued ID, can provide proof of higher education and official transcripts, and can pass a background check. Tutors on the platform are independent contractors, not employees.
3. Sylvan Learning
Sylvan calls its tutors part-time teachers. Its centers are locally owned franchises, so for center jobs Sylvan tells you to contact a center near you. Sylvan also runs mySylvan Marketplace+, where tutors work online or in person and set their own rates and schedules; it asks for a bachelor's degree in a field related to your tutoring subjects, and says a state teaching certificate is a plus.
4. Huntington Learning Center
Huntington says: "Our tutors have degrees from four-year colleges, plus either state or Huntington certification." It offers one-on-one and small group tutoring. Each local center is independently owned and handles its own hiring, so apply through the center near you from Huntington's careers page rather than an old job board link.
5. Kumon
Kumon's math and reading centers are independently owned franchises, and Kumon says plainly that if you work at a center, "your employer will not be Kumon". The common starting role is center assistant, grading and preparing student classwork, which asks for strong high school math and/or English and evening or weekend availability.
Other Places Tutors Work
- AmeriCorps tutoring programs: programs such as Reading Corps and Math Corps pay tutors a stipend every two weeks, and members who complete a term of service receive the Segal Education Award. AmeriCorps members must be 17 or older and a US citizen, US national or lawful permanent resident.
- Schools and districts: many districts hire tutors directly, often for small group support. Expect a background check: in Washington, for example, new school employees and contractors with regular unsupervised access to children must be fingerprinted.
- College tutoring centers: colleges hire student and professional tutors for their own courses.
- Private clients: tutoring families directly, where you set your own rate and handle your own tax.
Subjects You Can Tutor
| Subject area | Example tutor jobs |
|---|---|
| Math | Elementary math, algebra, geometry, calculus |
| English | Reading, writing, essay help, ESL |
| Science | Biology, chemistry, physics |
| Test preparation | SAT, ACT, GED |
| Languages and technology | Spanish, French, computer science, coding |
Math and reading are where the center jobs are, because Kumon and most learning centers are built around them. On marketplaces such as Wyzant, you choose your subjects and set your own rate.
Tax: Contract Tutoring Is Self-Employment
If you tutor through a marketplace, as an independent contractor or for private clients, you are usually self-employed. The IRS says the self-employment tax rate is 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare), and you must pay it if your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more. Keep records of your income and set money aside, because no employer is withholding it for you.
How to Get a Tutor Job, Step by Step
- Pick two or three subjects you can teach confidently, and the grade levels you want.
- Choose center or platform. Centers give you students and a set wage; platforms let you set a rate but take a fee and leave tax to you.
- Gather proof: transcripts, degrees, certificates and any tutoring, teaching or coaching experience. Varsity Tutors asks for official transcripts.
- Apply on the official page: Wyzant's tutor sign-up, Varsity Tutors' tutoring jobs page, or the local Sylvan, Huntington or Kumon center.
- Prepare for a demo or interview. Be ready to explain a hard concept simply and show how you would help a student who is stuck.
- Be ready for a background check, especially for school, center and in-person work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching degree to become a tutor in the USA?
Not usually. BLS lists some college, no degree, as typical, and Wyzant says tutors are not required to be certified teachers. Some employers ask for more: Huntington says its tutors have four-year degrees, and Sylvan's Marketplace+ asks for a related bachelor's degree.
How much do tutors make in the USA?
BLS lists a median of $20.84 an hour in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent under $14.15 and the highest 10 percent over $36.53. Most tutors work part time.
How much does Wyzant take from tutors?
Wyzant keeps a 25% platform fee, so tutors keep 75% of their posted hourly rate. Tutors keep 100% for students they refer to Wyzant themselves.
Can I tutor online in the USA without a degree?
On some platforms. Wyzant requires you to be 18, live in the US and hold a valid Social Security Number, but not a teaching certificate. Varsity Tutors asks for proof of higher education and official transcripts.
Are tutors employees or contractors?
It depends. Center staff are usually employees of the local franchise owner, while Varsity Tutors says its tutors are independent contractors. Self-employed tutors pay 15.3% self-employment tax once net earnings reach $400.
Does Kumon hire tutors?
Kumon centers hire center assistants who grade and prepare classwork. The centers are independently owned franchises, so your employer is the local center owner, not Kumon.
Is tutoring a growing job in the USA?
BLS projects little or no change in tutor employment from 2025 to 2035, but about 34,200 openings a year as tutors leave or change jobs.
Do tutors need a background check?
Often. Varsity Tutors applicants must be able to pass one, Wyzant tutors must pass one if a student requests it, and states such as Washington require fingerprint checks for school contractors with unsupervised access to children.
People Also Search For
Online tutor jobs USA
Wyzant and Varsity Tutors both hire tutors for online lessons.
Tutor salary USA
A median of $20.84 an hour according to BLS, May 2025.
Wyzant tutor requirements
18 or older, US residence and a valid Social Security Number.
Varsity Tutors application
An application, video interview, transcripts and a background check.
Sylvan Learning tutor jobs
Local franchise centers, plus the online and in-person Marketplace+.
Kumon center assistant
Grading and preparing classwork, with strong high school math or English.
Math tutor jobs
The most common center and platform subject, from elementary math to calculus.
AmeriCorps tutoring jobs
Reading Corps and Math Corps tutors receive a stipend every two weeks.
More Job Guides
Looking at teaching work more broadly? These cover it:
- Teacher Jobs in USA — classroom teaching, licensure and pay.
- Online Teacher Jobs Worldwide — the global online teaching platforms.
- Work From Home Jobs in USA — other remote work to combine with tutoring.
- How to Get an ESL Teaching Job in Japan — teaching English abroad.
- Preschool Teacher Jobs in Canada — early childhood education across the border.
- Educational Support Jobs in USA — teacher assistant and paraprofessional pay, the Title I rule, the ParaPro test and who is hiring.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not tax advice. Pay, platform fees, requirements and openings change over time. Confirm the current position with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IRS and each company's own site before relying on it.
