Online language tutor

Adult learners, high school and college students, parents of school-age children, and professionals who need a language for work.

Hourly fee per lesson, often sold as a bundle of lessons paid in advance. Regular weekly students give steady income.

• Fluency in the language you teach
• Patient, clear explanations
• Lesson planning and reliable scheduling

• Check whether your city or county requires a business license for tutoring
• Check your state's rules on teaching credentials if you work with school-age children (tutoring is often unregulated, but rules differ)
• Consider professional liability insurance and a simple contract with a cancellation policy
• Set aside money for income tax and self-employment tax as a sole proprietor

Startup costs are typically around $100 to $800, depending on your equipment, lesson materials and any insurance you choose. These are estimates, so your own figure may differ based on what you already own.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many hours you teach, your rates and how many learners you keep. The estimate assumes at least 6 hours of work a week. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check whether your city or county requires a business license for tutoring. If you work with school-age children, check your state's rules on teaching credentials, since tutoring is often unregulated but rules differ. Also consider insurance and a simple contract.