How much does a private tutor cost?
Private tutors typically cost about $50/hour in the US, with a common range of roughly $25–$100 depending on level and subject.
Key takeaways
- On Wyzant, the average tutoring rate is $35–$60 per hour, with the platform overall spanning roughly $35–$100 (Wyzant).
- Care.com data shows posted rates from about $18–$24/hour for elementary–high school up to $60/hour for college and $100/hour for test prep.
- Level and subject drive price: grade-school help is cheapest; college, STEM and standardized-test prep cost the most.
- Tutoring centers charge roughly $50–$75/hour and agencies up to $200/hour, above most independent tutors (Care.com).
- Big-city and in-person tutoring costs more than rural or online sessions — New York and Los Angeles reach $100–$200/hour (Care.com).
A private tutor in the US typically costs about $50 per hour, with a common range of roughly $25–$100. Wyzant reports an average of $35–$60 per hour, and Care.com shows posted rates from about $18–$24 per hour for grade-school help up to $60 for college and $100 for test prep. Level, subject, format (in-person vs. online) and location move the number the most. Prices vary and are current as of September 2026.
What a private tutor costs in the US
Tutoring is almost always billed by the hour, and the biggest single driver is the student’s level and subject. Wyzant’s cost guide puts the platform average at $35–$60 per hour, and notes that depending on needs you can expect to pay $35–$100 per hour overall. Care.com’s posted-rate data fills in the picture by grade and service type, from budget grade-school help to premium test prep.
| Tutoring type / level | Typical US price |
|---|---|
| Wyzant average | $35–$60/hr |
| Wyzant overall range | $35–$100/hr |
| Elementary / middle / high school (Care.com posted) | ≈$24/hr |
| College level (Care.com posted) | ≈$60/hr |
| Test prep (Care.com posted) | ≈$100/hr |
| Low-end / online platforms | $18–$30/hr |
| Tutoring centers | $50–$75/hr |
| Tutoring agencies | up to $200/hr |
| Major cities (NY / LA) | $100–$200/hr |
By subject, Wyzant’s own ranges show how wide the spread gets: algebra $30–$150, calculus $35–$100, physics $40–$100, chemistry $30–$100 and writing $4–$120 per hour. Geography matters too — Wyzant lists New York tutors at $40–$75/hour versus Florida at $30–$50/hour. Note that Wyzant also adds a service fee on top of the tutor’s rate, so the checkout price is a little above the quoted hourly figure.
What moves the price
- Level: grade-school tutoring (~$24/hr on Care.com) is cheapest; college-level (~$60/hr) and test prep (~$100/hr) are the priciest.
- Subject and specialization: STEM, standardized-test and learning-difference specialists command premium rates (Care.com, Wyzant).
- Format: online sessions typically cost less than in-person — Care.com cites online running roughly $10/hour below in-person for the same tutor.
- Provider type: independent tutors are usually cheaper than centers ($50–$75/hr) or agencies (up to $200/hr).
- Location: big metros (NY, LA) reach $100–$200/hour; the Midwest can be as little as $30/hour (Care.com).
- Credentials and demand: experienced or highly rated tutors sit at the top of every range.
A practical budget: routine homework help for a K–12 student often lands around $25–$50 per hour, a college-course tutor around $50–$75, and intensive SAT/ACT or graduate-exam prep $100 or more per hour. Booking a block of sessions or choosing online delivery are the two easiest ways to bring the effective rate down.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average hourly rate for a private tutor?
About $50/hour is typical. Wyzant reports an average of $35–$60/hour, with the platform overall spanning roughly $35–$100/hour.
How much does tutoring cost by grade level?
Care.com posted rates run about $24/hour for elementary through high school, roughly $60/hour for college level, and about $100/hour for test prep.
Is online tutoring cheaper than in-person?
Usually. Care.com notes online sessions run roughly $10/hour less than in-person for the same tutor, and online platforms can start around $18–$30/hour.
Why are some tutors $100–$200 per hour?
Specialized test prep, college and STEM tutors, tutoring agencies (up to $200/hour) and big-city markets like New York and Los Angeles ($100–$200/hour) sit at the top of the range (Care.com).
Do subjects change the price?
Yes. Wyzant's subject ranges include algebra $30–$150, calculus $35–$100, physics $40–$100 and writing $4–$120 per hour.
Are there added fees on tutoring platforms?
Sometimes. Wyzant adds a service fee on top of the tutor's hourly rate, so the amount you pay at checkout is slightly above the quoted rate.
