Online private tutor
Teach school subjects over video to students anywhere, from your own computer.
- $0-400
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
NAICS 611691 “Exam preparation and tutoring”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Live one-to-one or small-group tutoring sessions by video call with a shared whiteboard or documents. You can focus on a niche such as AP exams, SAT/ACT prep or elementary reading.
Your first three steps
- Set up a quiet teaching space with a reliable internet connection, webcam and a tablet or whiteboard app
- Pick a niche and write a simple page or profile that explains who you help and your rates
- Run a few discounted trial sessions and ask families for testimonials
Who pays
Parents and guardians, and sometimes older students paying for themselves.
How it makes money
Hourly rate per session or monthly packages. Small groups let you earn more per hour while charging each family less.
Skills that help
- Strong knowledge of your subjects
- Comfort with video calls and digital tools
- Keeping young students engaged on screen
Watch out for
- Check whether your state or city requires a business license, even for home-based work
- If you work through a tutoring platform, read its fees and rules on taking students elsewhere
- Protect students' privacy, and get parental consent for recording sessions
- Consider liability insurance and check what your homeowners or renters policy covers
- Keep records of income for the IRS and plan for self-employment tax
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online tutoring business?
Startup is estimated at typically around $0 to $400, depending on your computer and webcam, digital teaching tools, any platform fees and whether you add liability insurance.
How much can an online tutor earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,500, depending on your subjects, how many students you take and your hours. If you use a tutoring platform, check its fees.
What rules should I check before tutoring online?
Check whether your state or city requires a business license, even for home-based work. If you use a platform, read its fees and rules on taking students elsewhere. Protect student privacy and get parental consent for recording sessions.
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