What tutoring actually costs in 2026
Tutoring is priced by the hour, and in 2026 the going rates are $30–$80/hour in the US, £25–£60/hour in the UK, and AU$40–$90/hour in Australia. The number you pay inside those ranges depends on three things: the tutor’s qualification (a university student vs. a qualified teacher), the level (primary vs. final-year exam), and whether you book direct or through an agency that adds margin.
The hourly figure hides the real cost, though. Tutoring is rarely one session — it’s one hour a week for months. That’s where the bill grows.
Hourly rates by country, level and subject
| Market | Primary / early years | Secondary / general | Exam & specialist (SAT, A-Level, ATAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $30–$45/hr | $40–$60/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| United Kingdom | £25–£35/hr | £30–£45/hr | £45–£60/hr |
| Australia | AU$40–$55/hr | AU$50–$70/hr | AU$70–$90/hr |
Maths and the sciences usually sit at the top of each band because demand outstrips supply; primary literacy and general homework support sit lower. Agency bookings add roughly 20–40% over a tutor’s own direct rate.
The annual-cost math nobody mentions
One weekly hour across a 36-week school year is the realistic commitment. Here’s the yearly cost for a single subject:
| Market | 1 subject / year | 3 subjects / year |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1,080–$2,880 | $3,240–$8,640 |
| United Kingdom | £900–£2,160 | £2,700–£6,480 |
| Australia | AU$1,440–$3,240 | AU$4,320–$9,720 |
For a household with two children each needing two subjects, tutoring quietly becomes one of the largest annual line items — often more than a family holiday.
Hidden costs add up too. In-person tutoring builds in travel time and fuel; agency platforms often charge a sign-up or monthly membership fee on top of the hourly rate; and exam-season “intensive” packages are usually priced 20–30% above the standard weekly rate. The advertised hourly figure is almost always the floor, not the ceiling, of what a family actually pays across a year.
Comparison: human tutor vs Skoolskill
| Private human tutor | Skoolskill | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30–$80/hr (US) | Free, or ~$6.99/month |
| Hours of practice / week | 1 | 7 × 10–20 min sessions |
| Subjects covered | 1 per booking | All subjects, one plan |
| Annual cost (3 subjects) | $3,240–$8,640 | $0 or ~$84 |
| Material | Tutor’s own resources | Student’s own notes & past papers |
Skoolskill is an AI tutor that turns a student’s own notes and past papers into daily practice, with mark-scheme-style grading and spaced repetition. The point isn’t that it’s cheaper for one hour — it’s that the same money buys daily practice instead of one weekly session. For a deeper cost breakdown by question, see how much a tutor costs and our cheap tutor guide.
When paying for a human tutor is worth it
There are real cases where the hourly cost is justified:
- A student is two or more grades behind and needs a person to rebuild foundations.
- A specific learning difference (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD) calls for tailored human strategies.
- Spoken-language assessments or musical/practical exams need a live human ear.
- Exam anxiety that benefits from a coach, not an algorithm.
Many families combine the two: a human tutor every other week for coaching, and a free AI tutor daily for the practice volume that grades actually reward.
Get started — free
- Create a free account — no credit card.
- Tell us the year, level and subjects.
- Snap a photo of notes or a past paper.
- Your first daily session starts in under three minutes.
Start free — free tier always available.