How much do tutors earn in the UK?
Most UK private tutors charge between £25 and £60 an hour. What you actually take home depends on the level you teach, your experience, where you are, and crucially whether an agency takes a cut. List yourself directly and you keep 100% of your rate on the students you bring.
Average UK tutor rates by level
Typical advertised hourly rates in 2026. The annual column shows what one regular weekly student is worth across a 40-week tutoring year, a useful way to see the value of each parent who finds you.
| Level | Typical hourly rate | Per regular student / year |
|---|---|---|
| Primary / KS2 | around £29/hr | £1,160 |
| GCSE | around £38/hr | £1,520 |
| A-Level | around £52/hr | £2,080 |
| 11 Plus | around £38/hr | £1,520 |
Figures are publicly advertised market estimates, not a measured TutorLab dataset. London and the South East typically sit above these averages. Annual figures assume one hour a week across 40 weeks.
How much should I charge as a private tutor?
Start near the average for your level and area, then adjust for your experience and qualifications. Most new tutors price at or slightly below the average, while experienced tutors with a strong track record or specialist subject knowledge can charge 15 to 30% more. Review your rate every year as your experience grows.
Location matters more than most tutors expect. London and the South East typically support rates 20 to 40% above the UK average, while rural areas and smaller towns tend to sit closer to or below it. Online tutoring narrows this gap, since you are competing nationally rather than locally.
Subject and level make the next biggest difference. GCSE and A-Level Maths, Sciences and Further Maths command the highest rates because demand consistently outstrips supply. Specialist areas such as 11 Plus preparation, Oxbridge admissions coaching and SEN support can also justify a premium.
Use the tutor rate calculator to see a suggested range for your subject, level and area. Once you are earning regularly, the tutor tax guide explains what you owe HMRC and what you can deduct.
What tutors actually take home
Hourly rate is only half the picture. Monthly income depends on how many regular students you hold and the time of year. These are the bands most UK tutors fall into.
Part-time, £600 to £1,500 a month
A university student or teacher running 4 to 10 evening and weekend hours. The most common shape of UK tutoring, fitted around other work.
Full-time, £3,000 to £4,500 a month
An independent tutor in a higher-demand niche such as GCSE and A-Level maths and science, or 11 Plus, holding a full book of regular students.
Online widens your reach
Teaching online removes travel time and opens you to parents across the whole UK, so you can hold more sessions and fill quiet local periods.
Commission is the hidden cost
On many agencies you keep 60% to 75% of what the parent pays. At £40 an hour for 10 hours a week, a 30% cut is roughly £600 a month gone. Listing yourself keeps all of it.
Earn more by keeping all of your rate
The fastest way to raise your effective hourly rate is to stop giving a slice of it away. List yourself on TutorLab, set your own rate, and parents searching for your subject in your area contact you directly. There is no commission on the students you bring, and a parent TutorLab brings you carries an introduction fee that falls to your card rate within 12 months.
Listing is free. An optional subscription from £9 a month adds AI lesson notes, parent reports, invoicing and an HMRC tax summary. 14-day free trial, no card to start.
Tutor earnings: common questions
How much do private tutors earn in the UK?
Most UK private tutors charge between £25 and £60 an hour, depending on the level they teach, their experience and their location. As a guide, primary tuition averages around £29 an hour, GCSE around £38, and A-Level around £52. London and the South East sit at the higher end. These are publicly advertised market rates, not a guaranteed figure.
Can you make a living from tutoring in the UK?
Yes. A tutor running 4 to 10 evening and weekend hours alongside other work typically earns £600 to £1,500 a month. Full-time independent tutors in higher-demand niches, such as GCSE and A-Level maths and science or 11 Plus, can clear £3,000 to £4,500 a month. Income is seasonal: September and January are the busiest months, and the summer is usually quieter outside 11 Plus.
How much do online tutors earn?
Online tutors charge broadly the same hourly rate as in-person tutors, and many charge identically. Working online removes travel time, so you can fit more sessions into an evening, and it widens your reach to parents across the whole UK rather than just your local area.
Do agencies take a cut of what tutors earn?
Most tutoring agencies and marketplaces take a commission on every lesson, commonly leaving the tutor with 60% to 75% of what the parent pays, forever. On TutorLab there is no commission on your own students, ever. For a parent who finds you through TutorLab, an introduction fee starts at 15% and falls to your card rate within 12 months, then they count as your own students. You set your own rate and parents contact you directly.
Do tutors pay tax on what they earn?
Yes. Private tutoring income is taxable and most tutors register with HMRC as self-employed and file a Self Assessment return. You can deduct legitimate expenses such as resources and travel. A TutorLab subscription includes an HMRC tax summary to make this easier at the end of the year.
Want the numbers for your own rate and hours? Try the tutor income calculator, or see typical private tutor rates across the UK. Earning over £1,000? Read the tutor tax guide. Want to keep more of it? See how our platform fees compare.
Start earning your full rate
List your profile free, get found by parents searching your area, and keep 100% on the students you bring.