Why Tutors Leave Tutor.com
Tutor.com offers steady work through institutional partnerships—schools, libraries, and corporations. But the pay is fixed and often low: $13-39/hour depending on subject and experience.
Meanwhile, students pay $39/hour (subscription) or $79/hour (pay-as-you-go). The math doesn't favor tutors.
The Pay Gap
| Who | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Student pays (subscription) | $39/hour |
| Student pays (on-demand) | $79/hour |
| Tutor receives | $13-39/hour |
You're doing the work. Why shouldn't you keep more?
Alternative 1: Wyzant (Set Your Own Rates)
Model: Marketplace
Commission: 25%
Your rate: Whatever you choose ($30-150+/hour)
vs Tutor.com:
- You set rates (not fixed)
- 25% fee, but on YOUR rate
- Choose your students
- Build relationships
Example: Charge $60/hour on Wyzant
- You keep: $45/hour (25% fee)
- vs Tutor.com: $13-39/hour
Alternative 2: Varsity Tutors (More Volume)
Model: Tutoring service
Pay: Undisclosed (estimated $25-50/hour)
Work: Steady stream of students
vs Tutor.com:
- Potentially higher pay
- Different student matching system
- More variety in student types
Alternative 3: TutorBoost (Maximum Earnings)
Model: Marketing platform
Commission: 0% on lessons
Your rate: Whatever you want
vs Tutor.com:
- No commission on lessons
- Set premium rates
- Own student relationships
- Build business equity
Example: Charge $50/hour with TutorBoost
- You keep: ~$50/hour
- vs Tutor.com: $13-39/hour
Alternative 4: Going Independent
Model: Your own business
Fees: Just payment processing (~3%)
Control: Complete
What you need:
- Booking system (free)
- Payment processing (Stripe, PayPal)
- Marketing (TutorBoost, social media, referrals)
Income Comparison: 20 Hours/Week
| Platform | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tutor.com (low) | $13 | $260 | $1,040 | $12,480 |
| Tutor.com (high) | $39 | $780 | $3,120 | $37,440 |
| Wyzant ($60 rate) | $45 | $900 | $3,600 | $43,200 |
| TutorBoost ($50 rate) | $48* | $960 | $3,840 | $46,080 |
| Independent ($50 rate) | $49 | $980 | $3,920 | $47,040 |
*After accounting for ad spend
Annual difference: Up to $34,560 more
Why Anyone Stays on Tutor.com
Tutor.com does offer some benefits:
- Consistent work — Institutional partnerships mean steady hours
- No marketing — Students are provided
- Flexible scheduling — Shift-based but choose your shifts
- Benefits — Some positions offer limited benefits
If those matter more than maximizing income, Tutor.com has a role.
Who Should Leave Tutor.com
Consider alternatives if:
- You want to earn more per hour
- You're willing to do some marketing
- You want to build your own practice
- You're entrepreneurial
- You have subjects that command premium rates
The Transition Path
Keep Tutor.com Initially
Use it for baseline income while building alternatives.
Add a Second Platform
Start on Wyzant or TutorBoost to supplement income.
Build Direct Students
Marketing through TutorBoost or your own efforts.
Reduce Tutor.com Hours
As direct income grows, reduce platform dependency.
Optional: Leave Entirely
Once direct income exceeds Tutor.com, you can stop completely.
FAQ
Can I work on Tutor.com and other platforms?
Generally yes, unless you've signed an exclusivity agreement.
What if I like the Tutor.com model but want more money?
Try Varsity Tutors—similar model, potentially higher pay.
Is it hard to get students independently?
It takes effort initially. TutorBoost handles the marketing part for you.
What subjects pay best independently?
Test prep (SAT, ACT, GRE), advanced math, and programming command the highest rates.
*Ready to earn $50-100+/hour instead of $13-39? TutorBoost runs your ads, you keep the income. [Start free →](/onboarding)*