5 online tutoring jobs for college students

Online tutoring is a great way to make money as a college student while focusing on your education. Online tutoring positions can offer a competitive rate and are easier to manage with a class schedule than other jobs since you don’t have to factor in a commute and you can often set your hours.

There are online tutoring jobs for a variety of subjects, specialties, grades and focuses, from teaching English as a second language to tutoring high school students.

5 paid online tutoring jobs for college students

Not all online tutoring companies are created equal, and each has different rates, experience requirements and positions. Here’s a rundown of five companies, including what they offer per hour and the general requirements for employment.

1. Tutor.com

Tutor.com is associated with the Princeton Review and offers tutoring services for various subjects and topics. It provides online tutoring for everything from basic courses like English and math to specialized courses like managerial accounting and health care administration.

College sophomores and higher are welcome to apply, but current undergraduate students will likely be responsible for tutoring students in lower grade levels in basic courses. Tutors may set their hours within the set time blocks offered, but they must work at least five hours per week to stay employed.

Hourly rate: Varies by subject

Requirements:

• Qualify as an expert in your subject by taking a competency exam.
• Be enrolled as a sophomore or higher at an accredited four-year university or have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited four-year university.
• Reside and be eligible to work in the U.S.
• Have a valid social security number.

2. TutorMe

TutorMe offers a competitive hourly salary and the ability to choose your own schedule. Tutors have a wide range of subjects to choose from, including standard education courses and professional skills like driver’s safety and Photoshop courses.

Within its award-winning “lesson space” the company provides interactive resources for the tutors, like a virtual whiteboard, a text editor and the ability to screen-share. TutorMe also specializes in prep for major high school exams like the ACT and SAT, but you’ll likely need professional tutoring experience for this specific type of tutoring.

Hourly rate: $16

Requirements:

• Be enrolled in or have graduated from an accredited university.
• Have access to your own computer and be comfortable using technology.
• Qualify as an expert in your subject.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have 2+ years of previous tutoring or teaching experience.
• Pass a background check.
• Speak fluent English.
• Work location in the United States or a country on TutorMe’s approved list.

3. Studypool

Studypool is an online tutoring service that allows tutors to bid for and answer questions that students submit. Students will set a time limit and price range, and multiple tutors will bid for each question. The student will then choose the tutor who best fits their needs and submit the payment to Studypool. Once the student officially answers and approves the question, the payment will be distributed to the tutor.

After passing the application process, you won’t need to establish a schedule since you can bid for the questions you have time for. Many college students use Studypool as a way to make some extra cash, but others rely on the site as a full-time job, making as much as $7,500 a month.

Hourly rate: Varies based on the questions you answer

Requirements:

• Be a current college student with a valid student ID.
• Have a university degree and a valid academic transcript.

4. Cambly

Cambly partners native English speakers with students learning English as a second language. No degree or teaching license is required to get accepted, and tutors set their schedules. However, you’ll have to be willing to work some untraditional hours due to the different time zones of your students.

Hourly rate: $10.20 on Cambly, $12 on Cambly Kids

Requirements:

• Be a native English speaker.

5. Your own tutoring

You can also choose to provide virtual tutoring services without going through an established platform like the websites above. If you choose to offer services independently– outside of an e-learning platform or tutoring company– you will need to advertise, source your own clients and verify client payment methods. While doing so requires extra legwork, it can pay off because you will not owe service fees to a third party.

How to get paid to tutor online

On most tutoring websites, you’re responsible for building your reputation as a tutor. To maximize your potential earnings, be as professional and prepared as possible.

Focus on your expertise

When interviewing for different jobs, stick with your subject of expertise. Typically, this means focusing on a subject related to your degree. Not only will this help you feel more confident in your role, but it will also establish your reputation on the site and attract more clients. Many sites also require potential tutors to take competency tests in specific areas, so capitalize on the subjects you’re most comfortable with.

Determine your requirements and hours

When you first start your business as an online tutor, set boundaries for yourself as soon as possible. It can be tempting to work around the clock, especially when time differences are a factor, but don’t overwork yourself, and remember to focus primarily on your schoolwork.

Before applying, check each site’s class schedules, the countries your potential students live in and any time zones you’ll need to adjust to. Creating a schedule immediately will help you set the boundaries necessary for a healthy work-life balance.

If you decide to freelance rather than work through a website, research the rates for online tutors with your experience level to set a fair and competitive hourly rate.

Advertise your business

If you’re choosing to start your own tutoring business, advertise your expertise, rates and experience on every social media platform possible. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great ways to connect with people looking for tutoring services.

Facebook groups can also provide you with potential clients. There are groups for just about everything; posting your business information anywhere relevant is key to gaining momentum.

How much can I make from online tutoring?

How much you could make from online tutoring depends on the hourly rates set by the website and how many hours you work a week. Many people tutor full time, with some even reporting six-figure salaries.

The rates will vary depending on the subject, your experience and the company you partner with, if you are using one, so research a few online tutoring companies before applying to make sure that you’re getting compensated fairly. Also, keep in mind that most companies charge service fees, which can be 20 percent or higher — you’ll have to factor this into each expected payment.

The bottom line

Online tutoring can be a flexible and lucrative way to earn an income while you are enrolled in school. If you choose to work for a tutoring company, doing so can save a lot of your time when it comes to locating clients and getting paid. However, you will want to compare multiple service providers to find one that is a good fit for your qualifications and pay expectations.