Many different kinds of professionals in the realm of education become online tutors, including established teachers making a side income as well as college students who want to gain teaching experience. Some online tutors have been able to generate considerable income within the profession, all while benefiting from the inherent fulfillment of any teaching profession: you help students learn. Online tutors have become even more in demand during COVID-19, so whether you are an education major or a full-time teacher, there has never been a better time to join the industry. Here are the five best companies to work for as an online tutor.
5. WyzAnt
WyzAnt was founded in 2005 and is based in Chicago, IL. Comprised of 80,000 tutors, the company covers over 300 subjects and is constantly posting both part-time and full-time opportunities for online tutors. A degree is preferred but not required if a potential employee can demonstrate proficiency in the subject he/she specializes in.
Pros and Cons:
+ Average Pay is around $25 an hour
+ Online Tutors decide their pay rate when they join
+ Reliable network of students
- Hard to 'win' clients at the beginning with a lack of proven results
- Company takes a commission off of the set pay rate agreed upon
- Past employees have complained this commission rate varies too frequently
- Mixed reviews from past and current employees
4. Pearson
Pearson is a goliath in the education publishing world, having been founded all the way back in 1844. The multinational company headquartered in London, England launched its online tutor system, Smartthinking, in 1999. Pearson is constantly hiring online tutors for a wide variety of disciplines.
Pros and Cons:
+ High-quality training
+ Well organized and team-oriented
+ State-of-the-art software and technology
+ Frequent volume of clients
- Unrealistic expectations from management according to some past employees
- $11-$12 hourly pay
- Need a college degree in order to be considered
3. Chegg Tutors
Since its fruition in 2005, Chegg has become a household name across college campuses. 3.1 million users are subscribed to Chegg and a healthy portion of that group uses Chegg Tutors. They offer student help for 80 subjects and have become one of the most convenient tools for any student in distress, no matter the level of education.
Pros and Cons:
+ Massive volume of work during mid-term and final seasons
+ Set your own hours
+ $20-$22 hourly pay given through PayPal each week
+ Decent opportunity for advancement within the company
- Slow technical support
- Complaints of unreliable clients and missed appointments
- Less available work during slow periods of the semester
2. Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. They boast a selection of 3,000 subjects and have serviced over 500,000 students in their lifetime. Varsity Tutors is frequently posting opportunities for remote educators across the U.S. Applicants must have, or be in the process of receiving a bachelor's degree. Therefore, current college enrollees can find a home with Varsity Tutors.
Pros and Cons:
+ Flexible hours
+ Receptive and reliable technical support
+ High student approval rate across the board
+ Massive network
- $14-$18 hourly pay
- Pay doesn't vary based on how advanced or complex the subject material
Winner: TutorMe
TutorMe is the newest company included on this list, having been started in 2015. Nonetheless, the company has already serviced 650,000 students and covers over 350 subjects. The most compelling characteristic of this online tutoring company is its employee culture. According to reviews from past and present employees on various sites, TutorMe appears to be winning in job satisfaction in comparison to competitors in the industry. If you are 18 years or older and enrolled in a college program, then you are eligible for an online tutor position.
Pros and Cons:
+ Easy to use platform
+ High-quality online teaching/learning tools
+ Average pay ranges from $16-$21 (opportunities for pay upgrades are available)
+ High employee satisfaction with management
- Hard to get work at times (assignments are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis)