What It Means
TutorTutoringExtra one-on-one or small-group teaching outside regular class time, to help a student catch up, keep up or get ahead in a subject. See more rates are what a tutor charges for teaching a student outside regular class, usually quoted per hour or per session. Rates depend on the subject, the tutor's training, the format (one-on-oneOne-on-one meetingA regular private meeting between a manager and one person who reports to them, used for check-ins, feedback, problems and career growth. See more, small group or online) and where you live. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports what employed tutors earn: a median of $20.84 an hour in May 2025. A wage and a price are different things, so the rate you're quoted by an independent tutor or a tutoring company can be well away from that figure.
Try It: Price a School Year of Tutoring
Move the sliders to your schedule and type the rate you were quoted. The $40 an hour is an example.
Three or more sessions a week is the range research briefs in ERIC found works best.
One or two sessions a week can help, per research briefs in ERIC; three to five work best.
How People Say It at Work
- "Her math tutor is $40 an hour."
- "We do two sessions a week until the test."
- "The online tutor is cheaper than the one who comes to the house."
The Breakdown
The dated figure. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median hourly wage for tutors at $20.84 in May 2025. That is what tutors employed by schools, companies and other employers earn, so read it as a point of comparison rather than the price a family pays.
Worked example. A tutor quotes an example $40 an hour for two 60-minute sessions a week across a 36-week school year:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| A week, 2 hours × $40 | $80 |
| Hours for the year | 72 |
| School year total | $2,880 |
What moves the rate (Buhata's own list)
- The subject, such as homework help, an advanced course or test prep
- The tutor's training, such as a certified teacher or a subject specialist
- One-on-one, a small group or online
- Where you live
- Whether you book through a company or hire the tutor yourself
How many sessions to plan for. Research briefs in ERIC found tutoring can help at one or two sessions a week and works best at three to five, with sessions of 30 to 60 minutes showing the most impact.
Good to Know
Two tax rules touch tutoring. IRS Publication 503 doesn't count tutoring as care, so it doesn't go toward the child and dependent care credit. From 2026, the IRS lets 529 plan529 planA state-sponsored, tax-advantaged account for education costs, where growth is free of federal income tax when spent on qualified expenses. See more money pay for K-12 costs including tutoring outside the home, up to $20,000 per student per year; Buhata's 529 plan page has the details. Ask the school first whether it offers free tutoring before you pay for sessions, and check the tutor's progress against the teacher's reports every few weeks.
FAQ
How much do tutors charge per hour?
It depends on the subject, the tutor and where you live. For comparison, the BLS reports a median wage of $20.84 an hour for employed tutors in May 2025, which is what tutors earn rather than what a family is charged.
How many tutoring sessions a week does a child need?
Research briefs in ERIC found one or two sessions a week can help and three to five work best. Sessions of 30 to 60 minutes showed the most impact.
Can I use a 529 plan to pay a tutor?
From 2026, the IRS lets 529 money pay for K-12 tutoring outside the home, within the $20,000 per student per year K-12 limit. Check your state's plan rules too.
Do It in Buhata
Budget, Calendar
Put each tutoring session on the Buhata Calendar and add the weekly cost to Budget, so the total for the term is in front of you.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Tutoring
Extra one-on-one or small-group teaching outside regular class time, to help a student catch up, keep up or get ahead in a subject.
- After-school program cost
What a family pays for care and activities in the hours after the school day ends, charged by the week, the month or the day.
- 529 plan
A state-sponsored, tax-advantaged account for education costs, where growth is free of federal income tax when spent on qualified expenses.
- Extracurricular activities
Organized activities a child does outside regular class time, like sports, music, clubs or scouts, usually after school or on weekends.
- Babysitter rates
What families pay a babysitter, usually by the hour. Care.com's 2026 Cost of Care Report puts the average posted rate at $19.81 an hour nationally.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Tutors"; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025"
Last updated .