Tutors
Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests.
Also called: Academic Coach, Academic Guidance Specialist, Academic Mentor, Academic Teacher, Academic Tutor, Accounting Tutor
Median pay
$43,350
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$29,430 – $75,990
People employed
175,070
Holland code
SCA
Social · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 6.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Tutors pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What tutors do
- 01Provide feedback to students, using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage, motivate, or build confidence in students.
- 02Review class material with students by discussing text, working solutions to problems, or reviewing worksheets or other assignments.
- 03Assess students' progress throughout tutoring sessions.
- 04Teach students study skills, note-taking skills, and test-taking strategies.
- 05Provide private instruction to individual or small groups of students to improve academic performance, improve occupational skills, or prepare for academic or occupational tests.
- 06Participate in training and development sessions to improve tutoring practices or learn new tutoring techniques.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Empathy
- Optimism
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from tutors
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education88% · +66%
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education87% · +48%
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education85% · +48%
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School85% · +71%
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School81% · +54%
Change into tutors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education80% · $38,140
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary80% · $42,910
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education76% · $63,970
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists75% · $76,580
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants75% · $48,430