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How much should I charge?

Teacher rates

Tutors charge various fees depending on the nature, quality and characteristics of the tuition offered. The level of specialisation is significant to the fee, as is the level of accountability, individualisation and educational insight provided by the tutor.

One-to-one sessions tend to levy a higher fee for the student/family. Where the ratio of students to tutor is higher (such as in a class) the individual fee may be significantly lower and the tutor rate overall higher. Thus, some students may pay as little as $10 or $15 per hour but be in a class of 15 or 20 students. Here a tutor may be paid an hourly fixed rate if they are an employee or they may levy a variable rate (depending on student numbers) if they are a contractor.

Teacher-trained tutors typically charge in the range $40 to $150 per hour. This high variability will be influenced by each of the following:

Effective and accountable computer based learning

There are different categories of non-teacher trained tutors including:

Non-teacher trained tutors who are fully qualified (not provisionally or partially) can command a higher hourly rate than those not qualified (and hence falling outside of industry standards). The cost of qualification should be built into the rate as the cost of professional qualification adds value to the service offered by the tutor.

Non-teacher rates may be as low as the national minimum wage or higher, depending on the form of tutoring (one-to-one, online, face-to-face, large group or classroom-based, and so forth). Where a non-teacher is following/utilising a prescribed set of materials the fee per hour may be lower.

Undervaluing services and discounting

Teachers typically undervalue the amount they should charge and are therefore vulnerable to ‘giving too much’ without appropriate recompense. It is therefore recommended that where teacher-trained tutors are unsure of how much to charge they charge a higher than lower price. This is important as undervaluing services can keep a tutor feeling devalued for the provision of professional and expert services.

Charging a higher price can then lead to discounting later if the need arises, however, it is very hard to increase fees once a price has been established.

Tutors who are uncomfortable with negotiating fees should create a price list in print or electronic form and can point clients to that so that this ‘does the talking’.

In summary, fees will vary depending on a number of factors. However, price should realistically reflect the value of the professional service offered.

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