Tutor

Your Fit

Income

$40K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

3.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Tutor?

A Tutor is a professional who provides individualized academic assistance to students, helping them understand and excel in various subjects. They work with students to reinforce and supplement classroom learning, often tailoring their approach to each student's unique learning style and needs.

Sample job titles:

Academic Coach, Academic Guidance Specialist, Professional Tutor, Tutor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Tutor.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Tutor earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Tutor.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$32K per year	$40K per year	$52K per year	$70K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $25K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Tutor do?

Work environment

Tutors typically work in diverse settings, including schools, tutoring centers, students' homes, libraries, or online. The work is often part-time and may include evenings and weekends to accommodate students' school schedules. Tutors may be self-employed, work for a tutoring company, or be part of an educational institution.

Quick task list

Assesses students' strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.
Develops personalized learning plans and instructional materials.
Provides guidance and support in specific subjects.
Prepares students for exams and standardized tests.
Offers feedback and communicates progress to students and, if applicable, their parents.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Subject-Specific Tutoring: Specializing in a particular subject, such as mathematics, science, or languages.
Test Preparation: Focusing on preparing students for standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or GRE.
Learning Disabilities: Working with students who have specific learning challenges, using adapted teaching methods.
ESL Tutoring: Assisting non-native English speakers in improving their English language skills.
Homework Help: Providing general assistance with school assignments across various subjects.

Description

Tutoring is a highly flexible and rewarding profession that focuses on personalized education. Tutors play a crucial role in helping students overcome academic challenges, improve their understanding of subjects, and develop effective study habits. They must be adept at identifying individual learning needs and crafting approaches that resonate with each student. Tutors often work with a range of ages and abilities, requiring adaptability and a deep understanding of different educational stages and requirements.

Successful tutors combine expertise in their subject area with strong communication and interpersonal skills. They must be patient, encouraging, and skilled at making complex concepts understandable. Tutors often form significant mentorship roles, providing not only academic guidance but also support for students' overall confidence and motivation.

This profession offers significant flexibility in terms of work hours and environment, making it an attractive option for individuals seeking part-time, freelance, or supplemental employment. It can be particularly fulfilling for those passionate about teaching and learning, as it offers the opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact on students' educational journeys.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Directly contributing to a student's academic growth and confidence.
The flexibility in work hours and teaching methods.
Developing close, mentor-like relationships with students.
Witnessing students' progress and understanding of complex concepts.

You might make a good Tutor if you are...

Passionate about teaching and helping others learn.
Patient and able to explain concepts in multiple ways.
Adaptable to different learning styles and needs.
Knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your subject area.
Organized and skilled in planning effective learning sessions.

Pros:

Flexibility in choosing work hours and environment.
Opportunity to work with a variety of students.
Personal fulfillment from seeing students' improvement and success.
Potential for good earning, especially in specialized areas or private tutoring.

Cons:

Inconsistent work hours and income, particularly for freelance tutors.
Challenges in engaging and motivating students with diverse learning needs.
Requires continuous self-education to stay updated in the subject area.
May involve travel if working at students' homes or various locations.

How to become a Tutor

Typical education

Formal education requirements can vary widely. Many tutors have at least a bachelor's degree in the subject they teach, although some positions, especially those in elementary education or test preparation, may not require a degree. Ongoing learning is essential to stay current in the subject matter.

High school preparation

Courses:

Specialize in subjects that interest you and align with your tutoring goals.
Education or Psychology to understand learning theories and teaching methods.
Communication courses to enhance your ability to convey information effectively.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteer as a peer tutor or mentor.
Join or start a study group to gain experience in explaining concepts to others.
Participate in clubs or organizations related to your subject of interest.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a bachelor's degree in your area of specialization or in education, if you aim to cover a broader range of topics.
Gain experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time tutoring jobs.
Consider additional certifications or training in tutoring, test preparation, or working with students with learning disabilities.

More resources

National Tutoring Association (NTA) - Offers resources, certification, and training for tutors.
Tutor.com - Provides opportunities for online tutoring and resources for tutors.
Khan Academy - A valuable resource for learning and teaching a variety of subjects.
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) - Useful for tutors specializing in working with students with learning disabilities.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.