Working as an online tutor is a great way to earn money working from home. If you’re looking to escape your 9 to 5 and love to teach, this might be a perfect fit for you.
You don’t need to be an expert. A lot of online tutoring companies will hire you even without a degree!
No matter your base of knowledge, teaching students of all ages — including college students and adults — can help convert your knowledge to cash.
Top Tutoring Jobs Online
Are you wondering how to get an online tutoring job? It’s easier than you might think. Here are 14 ways you can become an online tutor this week.
1. VIPKid
If you’ve been looking for work as an online tutor, chances are you’ve heard of VIPKid. It’s one of the better-known companies.
This site is a perfect way to make money if you enjoy interacting with children. VIPKid helps you make money teaching English online to Chinese children.
Picking your hours makes it flexible. If you’re available during Beijing’s peak hours, that can help to increase your earnings.
This means that Monday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Beijing time. You can check what that is in your time zone by using the World Clock website.
Considering they’re 12 hours ahead of Eastern Time, this is a great way to make money on the side as an online tutor.
You don’t need to worry about lesson plans. VIPKid creates all your lesson plans and activities for you. It’s as simple as logging in online and walking the children through the prepared slides.
Because VIPKid is an English immersion program, you’ll speak English the entire time. And you’ll be teaching primary language and math skills that follow U.S. Common Core State Standards.
VIPKid Requirements:
- Mentoring, tutoring, coaching or any teaching experience
- Availability to work during early mornings and evenings
- Commitment to a minimum of 7.5 hours per week
- Eligibility to work in the U.S. or Canada
2. iTutor
Being an online tutor with iTutor opens up new possibilities. Setting your own hours is just one of the perks.
Like most online tutoring jobs, you’ll need a computer. But getting paid to work from home is one of the best ways to make money.
Because iTutor partners with AASA, the School Superintendents Association, you’ll join a community of educators committed to student success.
It does require a bachelor’s degree and classroom experience. Having an active teaching certification will qualify you, too.
You could tutor in test prep or language skills. Other favorite topics include math, science and social studies. You’ll get matched with students from first through 12th grade, depending on your preference.
iTutor Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree and time in the classroom
- Active teaching certification preferred
- Knowledge of SAT prep, math, English and more
3. Course Hero
The pool of students at Course Hero is huge. With over 10 million students, your chances of finding work as an online tutor are good. The site claims top tutors earn an average of $500 a week.
Course Hero is an excellent option if you have knowledge outside of the typical English, math and science. You could tutor in accounting, business, economics, computer science and more.
You don’t need a teaching certification. But you will need to show your knowledge of the subjects you want to tutor before you can start.
Setting your own schedule means a Course Hero job can fit your busy lifestyle. There’s no cap on how much you can work, and the ability to tutor from anywhere makes it even more flexible.
Course Hero Highlights:
- Proven expertise in the area where you want to tutor
- Certification not required
- Advanced matching algorithm connects student questions with the right tutors
- low minimum for withdrawals with a quick payout process
4. Yup
At Yup, you’ll get paid by the minute for the time you spend tutoring. They offer performance bonuses to increase your earning potential, too.
If your primary area of expertise is math or science, Yup might be a great match. Topics cover everything from early math to calculus, to chemistry and physics.
A history of teaching isn’t required. But you will need to demonstrate your knowledge by passing a basic skills exam.
Your schedule can be as flexible as you’d like. Whether you’re working from home or a remote island, it doesn’t matter as long as you have a reliable internet signal.
Yup Requirements:
- No previous teaching experience needed
- Demonstrated knowledge in you subject area
- Ability to pass proficiency exams before tutoring
5. Cambly
Cambly is a little different than the other online tutoring jobs on this list. The only skill you need is the ability to speak fluent English without a foreign accent.
That’s because you won’t tutor a specific subject. Instead, Cambly pays you to have a conversation with someone learning English as a second language.
No advance preparation is needed, since most students are looking to practice their English skills in regular conversation. Getting paid is a breeze. Anything you earn is sent weekly by PayPal.
Cambly Tutor Requirements:
- Ability to speak English fluently
- No foreign accent
- Experience not necessary
6. Elevate K-12
As the name implies, ElevateK-12 is online instruction for students from kindergarten through high school. It doesn’t have on-demand queues. Instead, you’ll set appointments ahead of time based on your availability.
The company likes to match tutors with the same students for a series of learning sessions. That way, you get to know the student and they’ll become comfortable with your teaching style.
There’s no need to prepare for your appointments in advance. All of the content and lesson plans are made for you by ElevateK-12.
Typical topics are what you’d expect, and include math, English, reading, science and social studies. They do have openings for robotics tutors and will soon be hiring for coding, too.
It isn’t always easy to find ways to make money in college. But if you’re already pursuing a teaching degree, you could find work with ElevateK-12 as a tutor.
Elevate K-12 Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or current pursuit of a teaching degree
- Ability to work between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time
7. Tutor.com
If you’re looking for variety, Tutor.com has it. Online tutors have an assortment of subjects to pick from. They include everything from middle school math to calculus, to essays and proofreading, to history and SAT prep.
Whether you want to teach a specific age group or are open to both children and adults, you’re sure to find something.
One of the best advantages of working as an online tutor is the freedom in scheduling, and Tutor.com is no exception. As long as you have a computer and Wi-Fi, your tutoring sessions can be done from anywhere.
What sets Tutor.com apart from other online tutoring companies is its commitment to the U.S. military members and their families.
A funding program provides help to servicemembers and their dependents at no cost.
Tutor.com Requirements:
- Ability to pass a subject exam to show expertise
- College sophomore education or higher
- Some subjects require a degree
- U.S. or Canadian residency with valid Social Security number or Social Insurance Number
- Availability for at least five hours of work each week
8. Skooli
With Skooli, you have two options to set your schedule. Making appointments in advance can help if you’re looking for stability. Knowing when you’ll be working is a great way to predict your future paycheck.
You also have the option to log in whenever you have extra time on your hands. If you’re available to accept instant sessions, working additional hours can help to increase your pay.
When you’re tutoring, the online platform supports video conferencing, online chat, screen sharing and an interactive whiteboard. It even connects to Google Drive.
Early and secondary students are the primary focus. But tutoring college students is also possible.
Skooli has higher requirements than some of the other online tutoring companies. Having a bachelor’s degree and a state or Canadian provincial teaching certification is preferred.
If you don’t have that, an advanced degree or specialized instructor qualification is acceptable.
Skooli Requirements:
- One of the following: (1) bachelor’s degree plus state or provincial teaching certification; (2) master’s degree or Ph.D.; (3) specialized instructor qualification such as ESL certification
- Proof of education and identification
- PayPal account
- Ability to pass a criminal record check
9. QKids
Tutors working with Qkids teach English as a second language to Chinese students. The kids’ ages range from 4 to 12, making this a good option if you enjoy teaching younger students.
Teaching jobs are open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Working as a tutor with Qkids requires you to sign a contract stating you agree to work with the company for six months.
They ask that you work at least six hours per week, but you don’t need to be available to work at a specific time. You can set your tutoring appointments to work with your schedule.
Like most other online tutoring jobs, your sessions come with individualized lesson plans. This makes it easier to connect with the students, since they’ll already know what to expect.
QKids Requirements:
- Commitment to work six hours a week for six months
- University degree or current enrollment in a degree program
- Residency in the U.S. or Canada
- English fluency
10. Brainfuse
To work with Brainfuse, you’ll have to pass a strict set of requirements. First, you’ll need to be based in the U.S. and have a four-year degree. Background and reference checks are also part of the onboarding process.
It seems a bit over the top for a remote position. But it does ensure that you’ll be working with an exceptional team of tutors.
As with most online tutoring roles, you can create your own schedule. Having the freedom to choose when you work is a significant advantage.
One key difference with Brainfuse is that it focuses primarily on adults. However, tutoring other students, from elementary school age to college level, is possible.
Although there are lots of side gigs out there, if you love to teach and can share your knowledge through a virtual whiteboard, this might be the one for you.
Brainfuse Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in the subject you’ll be tutoring
- Ability to pass background and reference checks
- Resume submission by email
- Previous tutoring experience or teacher certification helpful
11. Chegg
You might know Chegg by its former name of InstaEDU. It matches tutors with students who need help. That’s where you come in.
Being an online tutor can be a rewarding experience. If you have a knack for teaching, it’s a great way to earn money on the side. Whether you’re looking to work every day or only now and then, Chegg can adapt to your schedule.
You don’t need to be in the U.S. for this one. Chegg is open to applicants worldwide. And the ability to work from home, a dorm or coffee shop makes it even more flexible.
Once you’re approved, you’ll get matched with students looking for help in your chosen subject. They might be kids in middle or high school. But you might find yourself tutoring college students and professionals.
Some more advanced subjects to pick from as a tutor with Chegg include calculus, biology and even astrophysics. The virtual whiteboard during your sessions makes sharing knowledge easy.
Chatting can consist of video but can also be done by text or audio-only.
Chegg Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or current enrollment in a university
- Proficiency demonstrated in the subject
- Prior teaching experience preferred but not required
12. TutorVista
It isn’t often you find an online tutoring job that offers part-time and full-time work. TutorVista gives you those options. Tutoring part-time from home is an excellent opportunity.
Better yet, as a full-time employee you get additional fringe benefits along with the ability to work a flexible schedule.
If you aren’t looking for full-time work, tutoring makes a great side gig. Being in charge of your own time is a remarkable perk. The one downside is that you must commit to a specific schedule.
Being available during the evening and nighttime hours offers the best opportunity to fill your schedule. Changing your availability is easy enough once you get started. But it does require advance notice.
The students you work with will vary from kindergarteners through college undergraduates. What you help them learn depends on your qualifications. Math, physics, English and biology are all in high demand.
TutorVista Requirements:
- Availability to work at least four hours each day
- Broadband internet connection
- Master’s degree in your subject
- Some teaching experience preferred
13. Superprof
Using Superprof to begin your online tutoring career has great potential if you’re U.K.-based.
Having an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau), DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland check is also a requirement.
The best part of working with Superprof is the freedom to set your hourly tuition rate. Getting paid by the minute is an advantage, too.
When setting your hourly rate, remember that 25% of your earnings are subtracted from your wage. This is a fee for back-office support that includes the online classroom and access to customer and technical support services.
The online Q&A forum is a place for students and tutors to connect. Contributing to some questions can help you build credibility with students.
Becoming more well-known can grow your earning potential as more students reach out to you for tutoring services.
Superprof Requirements:
- U.K. residency
- Updated CRB, DBS, Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland check
- PayPal account to receive payment
14. Aim-for-A
You’re not restricted to a specific location with Aim-for-A. They hire tutors internationally. If you have a computer with a broadband internet connection, you could work from any place around the world.
Areas of expertise can include math, science, English or prep for standardized tests. To be eligible to work as a tutor, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in that subject. Teaching experience is preferred, but not a requirement.
Your students might come from Europe, North America or Australia. Being available to work during peak hours in those time zones will likely lead to more earnings.
You’ll teach students one-on-one or in a group setting. Primarily, the students are in grades one through 12. Those at the high school level are typically seeking test prep, such as for the PSAT or SAT.
Aim-for-A Requirements:
- Availability during peak hours in Europe, North America and Australia
- Teaching experience or certification is preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in the subject taught
- Excellent English skills
15. BookNook
BookNook presents an opportunity for U.S.-based educators.
As of summer 2022, the platform is currently being built out. Although BookNook is hiring tutors, you won’t find teaching opportunities until the fall of 2022.
When the platform is live, you’ll earn $18 per hour of tutoring. There’s also an opportunity for potential program bonuses. But the details on bonus structures are sparse.
BookNook is looking for tutors who can engage students and help learners build on their existing strengths. You’ll need to be a bit tech-savvy and ready to work with kids in grades K through 8.
The amount you can earn is not published. Since the platform hasn’t launched, it’s difficult to say how many earning opportunities you’ll find with BookNook.
The hiring process starts with a detailed application. From there, you may be invited to submit a video interview. You’ll learn whether or not you are on the team within 5 business days of submitting your video interview.
BookNook requirements:
- At least year of experience teaching or tutoring
- 3+ years of teaching or tutoring
- 1+ year teaching or tutoring, with at least a bachelor’s degree
- 1+ year of teaching or tutoring, while currently enrolled in teaching program
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must pass a background check
Summary
Signing up for work as an online tutor is a legit way to make money from home. It’s entirely flexible and can accommodate most schedules.
Some companies require you to have a degree in the subject you want to tutor in. But getting an online tutoring job can be done without it.
Online tutoring can open up a new way to make money on the side or be a full-time income for you.
