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.
How to save on a private tutor
- Choose a graduate student or advanced undergraduate over a credentialed teacher or test-prep specialist; they often charge far less for the same subject help while still knowing the material cold.
- Book small-group sessions with one or two other families studying the same subject so you split the hourly rate several ways.
- Meet online instead of in person to cut travel fees and widen your choice to lower-cost tutors outside your immediate area.
- Buy a package of sessions upfront, which many tutors discount versus their one-off hourly rate.
- Use free or low-cost school resources first (teacher office hours, peer tutoring, library homework programs) and reserve paid tutoring for the toughest topics only.
- Come to each session with specific questions and completed practice work so time is spent teaching, not warming up, and you need fewer hours overall.
- Ask about a sliding scale or a lower rate for booking a consistent weekly slot the tutor can count on.
Cost scenarios
Budget: At about $25 an hour you typically get a student tutor or online help for a general subject, which is fine for routine homework support and building a struggling learner’s confidence.
Typical: Around $50 an hour buys an experienced tutor for core subjects, often a certified teacher offering structured lessons, assigned practice, and progress tracking.
Premium: Near $100 an hour reflects specialized test prep (SAT, ACT, MCAT) or a highly credentialed expert in a difficult subject, usually with custom materials and a tailored study plan.
Cost by state
Prices vary by where you live. These estimates scale the national typical ($50) by each state's overall price level, so treat them as a regional guide rather than a quote for how much does a private tutor cost?.
See all 50 states + DC
| State | Estimated typical | vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $44 | -11% |
| Alaska | $51 | +2% |
| Arizona | $50 | +1% |
| Arkansas | $43 | -13% |
| California | $55 | +11% |
| Colorado | $52 | +3% |
| Connecticut | $52 | +4% |
| Delaware | $50 | 0% |
| District of Columbia | $55 | +10% |
| Florida | $52 | +3% |
| Georgia | $48 | -4% |
| Hawaii | $55 | +10% |
| Idaho | $48 | -5% |
| Illinois | $50 | 0% |
| Indiana | $47 | -7% |
| Iowa | $44 | -12% |
| Kansas | $45 | -10% |
| Kentucky | $45 | -10% |
| Louisiana | $44 | -12% |
| Maine | $49 | -3% |
| Maryland | $52 | +5% |
| Massachusetts | $53 | +6% |
| Michigan | $48 | -4% |
| Minnesota | $49 | -1% |
| Mississippi | $43 | -13% |
| Missouri | $45 | -9% |
| Montana | $47 | -5% |
| Nebraska | $45 | -10% |
| Nevada | $50 | 0% |
| New Hampshire | $52 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $54 | +9% |
| New Mexico | $46 | -8% |
| New York | $54 | +8% |
| North Carolina | $47 | -6% |
| North Dakota | $44 | -11% |
| Ohio | $46 | -7% |
| Oklahoma | $44 | -12% |
| Oregon | $52 | +3% |
| Pennsylvania | $49 | -2% |
| Rhode Island | $51 | +2% |
| South Carolina | $47 | -6% |
| South Dakota | $44 | -11% |
| Tennessee | $46 | -8% |
| Texas | $49 | -3% |
| Utah | $49 | -1% |
| Vermont | $49 | -2% |
| Virginia | $51 | +1% |
| Washington | $54 | +7% |
| West Virginia | $45 | -11% |
| Wisconsin | $47 | -6% |
| Wyoming | $46 | -7% |
Regional estimates scale our national typical by BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), an index of overall state price levels — actual variation for this specific service differs. Source: BEA.
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.
How we estimate this
Every figure on this page is compiled from the public sources cited above and given as a low–typical–high range rather than a single false-precise number. Where costs vary by location we scale the national typical using published state price levels. We recheck figures on a set schedule and stamp each report with the date last verified. We are independent and are never paid to change a number — see how we price things.
