Let's face it. No one's perfect. Nobody knows this better than I because my wife is quick to remind me of my imperfections regularly. lol That said everyone needs a helping hand. This provides you a perfect opportunity to make money with online tutoring jobs.
We have scoured the internet to bring you everything you need to know about the best free online tutoring jobs available. So without further ado, let's get into it!
What Type of Online Tutoring Jobs Are Available?
Online tutoring jobs range from grades K-12, college prep, foreign languages ACT/SAT and ESL (English as a Second Language). You'll basically be teaching any of the contents available in different countries' school curricula from kindergarten kids to university professors. There are also companies that offer informal tutoring work like physical education or remote training.
How Much Money Can I Make Tutoring?
Most websites and companies pay tutors anywhere between $10 and $15 an hour depending on the complexity of the subject you'll be tutoring, your qualification and experience. Some websites will assign you work directly while others engage you in a bidding war against fellow tutors.
There are tutors who opt to set out on their own and start their own businesses. Of course it takes longer to make money but the pay is eventually better, averaging $50 an hour based on what independent tutor websites we came across.
So how much you can make tutoring depends on various factors such as the subject, your experience and what company you sign up for.
What Type of Experience Do Online Tutors Need?
Some websites don't require you to prove your experience while some need you to have an educational background of the subject you want to tutor. Basically the more experienced you are the easier it will be to get hired. Most tutoring websites require at least two years' experience tutoring, and will list your qualifications and experience for students to hire you when in need of your services.
What Type of Equipment Do I Need?
For starters, you'll need a laptop or desktop that runs Windows or Mac Operating system. You'll definitely need word processing software like Microsoft Office. Some websites need you to have a Webcam.
You can get a ChromeBook Laptop on Amazon for as little as $200. You can also get a copy of Microsoft Office on Amazon. There are websites that will provide you with most equipment but it's always good to have your own.
Most websites are quite resourceful and will give you downloadable material to start you off including reading material for your students, course work and other training material. You might also need a copy of Adobe Reader to open PDF documents.
You may also need Skype for holding live sessions, a 3-in-1 printer, a microphone, and a phone. You'll also need a file sharing service like Google Drive, Google Drawings and Google Docs. If you choose to record your sessions, there are tons of software you can use online to keep files of sessions for future reference.
Complaints About Tutoring Work At Home Jobs
Working at home as an online tutor sounds great. But it can be risky if you don't know the pitfalls you might come across. Don't get into tutoring if you can't stomach the following complaints.
It doesn't pay that well
You'd expect tutoring to be a lucrative online job but that's not usually the case. Most websites pay a little over 10 bucks an hour as a beginner. To earn more you'll need experience and a good word from your students. But that takes time. So in the mean time you can supplement your income by taking surveys at SurveyJunkie.com, or make money doing the things you already do online like visiting websites, shopping or watching videos at sites like SwagBucks.com or FusionCash.com.
Some Specialized Software Required
Some websites like Chegg.com require that you sign up for a virtual library that grants you access to e-textbooks at a fee. You may also need to purchase other related software if you don't already have it installed. So these additional costs are definitely something worth considering if you want to work as a tutor for certain companies. Each will provide their own requirements.
Work is not always guaranteed
Unlike My Top Work At Home Recommendation where you earn real money all year round, tutoring is a seasonal job. When students are on holiday, you'll also be laying your ass around the house wondering what to do with your life. Some websites do have work during the holidays but it's not quite enough to feed everyone. You'll have to muscle your way around to get jobs. That's where being a member of Flexjobs.com pays off. You get real time updates about available and screened tutoring jobs.
Online Tutoring Jobs
Okay now that you know the good and bad, let's get into our list of tutoring companies that usually offer work:
Flexjobs.com is always a good resource to find many types of jobs including online tutoring jobs. But I've also included a list of other companies that provide this specific jobs below.
VIPKid – This ESL tutoring website hires teachers and tutors from the US and Canada. To sign up you'll need a computer with high speed internet. You'll be taken through a series of including proficiency tests and mock exams. You should be willing to teach students ages 8-12. They pay $7-$9 an hour plus bonuses depending on your subject. VIPKid pays on the 10th or 15th of every month via direct deposit. You can read my full VIPKid review here.
Chegg Tutors -Chegg is another global tutoring company that hires tutors from anywhere in the world. To join, you'll need to sign up with your Facebook account. You'll then need to provide information about your qualifications and experience including a copy of your diploma. Once you become a tutor you'll need to find students you can teach based on job openings available. Chegg pays $20/hr via PayPal every Friday and there's no minimum withdrawal amount.
Tutor – Tutor.com hires registered US/Canadian teachers. During sign up, you'll be asked a series of questions including your education background, and experience. You'll also need to prove that you can effectively conduct an online classroom. There are a series of exams you'll need to pass before they let you in. You'll be earning anywhere between $7 and $13 an hour depending on what you are tutoring and the hours you are available to work. They pay weekly via PayPal or check.
Enroll-Enroll.com is another great tutoring website and you can join from anywhere in the world. Once you sign up you'll have to pass a series of exams that test your proficiency as a tutor. You'll also need to prove your qualifications. Once you're in you can start looking for jobs relevant to you. You will have to teach the first two classes for free. You will then use the feedback from these two classes to set your own hourly rates. Enroll sends everything you earn directly to your PayPal account after every session.
Cambly -Online tutoring company hires native English tutors to hold live sessions with students teaching the English language. You'll need high speed internet and a webcam to sign up. You'll need to have an English education background before they let you in. Cambly pays 17 cents per minute via PayPal and if you have a minimum $20 you can withdraw every week. Unfortunately you can only apply if you are from one of the 18 native English speaking countries.
Fiverr – Fiverr is popular with international tutors since there's no country restriction. All you need to do is create a profile that highlights your experience and skill. Fiverr pays via PayPal, the Fiverr debit card or direct deposit if you have a US bank account. You can request for withdrawal of any amount 14 days after the project was marked as ”complete”. You can read my full Fiverr review here.
Yup – Yup employs math, Chemistry and Physics tutors from all around the world. You'll basically be answering questions posted by students and getting paid for your time. You can earn 5-7 cents per minute, but there's no standard rate. They pay based on the complexity of the subject, your mastery, communications skills and how long your session with a student lasts. They pay via PayPal or direct deposit every end of the month.
Upwork – Upwork is worldwide freelance website where you can find tutoring and other type of work. All you need to do is create a profile that shows what you can tutor. Students can contact you directly but you can also bid for work in the market place. You can set your own rates although newbies with no work history on the site set rates way beyond the going market rate to lure potential students. Upwork pays via PayPal or Payoneer although you can request for direct deposit. You can read my full Upwork review here.
BrainFuse – BrainFuse hires tutors of all kinds of academic subjects in the US. To apply you just have to send your resume to jobs@brainfuse.com and they'll contact you with feedback. They will then give you a proficiency test on the subject you're qualified for. You'll need to have a Master's Degree, have experience teaching and be willing to submit to a background check. You earn based on the number of hours you worked. Tutors earn $10-12 an hour at BrainFuse although you can earn more based on your proficiency. They pay via check or direct deposit every end of the month.
More Tutoring Jobs
So we've looked at some of the best tutoring work at home jobs online. The sad truth is that most of them don't always have job openings when you decide to sign up. Fortunately you can find newly screened tutoring jobs at Flexjobs.com every day. It's totally risk free and you'll always stay up to date with tutoring jobs near you.
Alternative Work At Home Opportunities
If you feel tutoring isn't something you'd want to dive in, you can make money taking surveys at SurveyJunkie.com. You can also make money doing various things online with sites like Swagbucks.com or FusionCash.com. Either way, you can also use these sites to make a little money on the side while working as a tutor.
Are Tutoring Jobs Worth It?
If you are a qualified teacher or tutor, then yes they can be if you can secure work. But based on what people are saying, the tutoring industry is flooded so it's a lot harder to find work. Furthermore you better feel comfortable installing software, since so many of the tutoring websites require that you to install certain software to work with them. If not you can hire an online tutor to teach you how these software work, lol. If you don't have the qualifications to be a tutor, you can always start working part time or full time online using My Top Work At Home Recommendation.
Do you have your own experience with online tutoring ?We'd love to read about it. Either way, feel free to chime in your thoughts or questions in the comments section below!
Until next time
Eddy ”with a Y”