How to set your tuition fee

A fee set by what the neighbour charges often leaves you tired and underpaid. Start from your own hours and what you need to earn, then check it against the market.

1. Count all the hours, not only class hours

A one-hour class is more than an hour of your time. Add travelling, preparing the lesson, marking homework, tests and talking to parents. If a class takes one hour to teach and 30 minutes to prepare and mark, your paid hour is really an hour and a half. That is the number to divide into.

2. Decide the income you want from tutoring

Write a monthly figure you need or want after costs. Costs include a room or travel, books and printing, internet for online classes, a phone, and your own training. The Freelance Rate calculator on this site works out an hourly floor from an income goal, costs, tax and time off, and it applies to tutors.

3. Divide by the number of students that fit

A single student pays more per hour than a student in a group of six, because you give them all of your attention. A common way to price is a rate for one-to-one and a lower rate per student for a group, with the group's total above the one-to-one price. For example, if one-to-one is 600 an hour, a group of five paying 200 each brings you 1,000 an hour for a class that is only slightly harder to run.

4. Pick the billing unit

Per month is simplest for regular classes. It also protects you from missed classes, because the fee does not change with a holiday or an absence.
Per session suits irregular or exam-time help, but invites arguments about missed sessions.
Per term or per course pays you in advance and is good for exam batches, but needs a clear refund rule.

5. Check against the market, then decide

Ask two or three tutors or look at what centres in your area charge. If your floor is much higher, either teach groups, teach older classes where fees are higher, or look at online students from other places. If it is much lower, you may be undercharging.

Discounts and siblings

Small, clear discounts for siblings or advance payment are normal. Write them down. A discount that is not written down is argued over later.

Next, write your fee policy so every parent knows the rules, and use the tuition manager to keep track of who has paid.

Common questions

Should I charge more for higher classes?

Usually yes. Higher classes take more preparation and a narrower set of tutors can teach them. Price each batch from its own hours and the parents you can reach.

Can I raise the fee for current students?

Yes, with notice. Tell parents at least a month ahead, say the new fee and the date, and thank them for staying.

Keep going

The manager keeps its data in your own browser and nothing is sent to us. Hindi and Punjabi messages were written by us and not read by a native speaker: please read them before you send. This site gives practical guidance, not legal or tax advice; rules for tuition classes differ by country and state. Checked 14 November 2026.