Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Some college, no degree
None
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Tutors support learners with academic subjects and skills, offering targeted help outside traditional classroom settings. This occupation has national employment of 216,000 and a national median annual salary of $40,090, indicating a sizable workforce and established pay levels. Projected employment growth of 0.6% suggests relatively stable demand over time, while an estimated 37,000 annual openings point to ongoing opportunities for new and experienced tutors. Strong interpersonal, speaking and listening, and writing and reading skills are central to success, supported by abilities in critical and analytical thinking, adaptability, and creativity and innovation. Mathematics, science, leadership, and customer service skills can further strengthen effectiveness and employability. Career paths related to tutoring include roles such as substitute teachers (short-term), teachers and instructors (all other), adult basic and secondary education and English as a second language instructors, mathematical science teachers at the postsecondary level, and school psychologists, offering additional directions for those who want to stay connected to education and learner support.
The national median annual salary for tutors is $40,090, but pay can vary by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts reports the highest median salary at $60,900, followed by New York at $47,100, Colorado at $47,420, Washington at $45,360, and California at $45,100. At the metro level, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH stands out with a median salary of $64,710. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median of $50,350, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV is at $48,730, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA at $48,340, and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ at $46,550. These figures show that earnings for tutors can be notably higher than the national median in specific states and metro areas, so location choices may significantly influence earning potential.
Tutoring offers a relatively stable employment outlook. National employment stands at 216,000, and projected employment growth is 0.6%. While this growth rate is modest, the field is supported by an estimated 37,000 annual openings, which combine new positions and replacement needs. This indicates ongoing movement in the labor market and regular opportunities for job seekers entering or re-entering the field. In the states and metro areas listed with top CareerGPS opportunity scores, projected growth is also 0.6%, suggesting consistency in expectations across these highlighted regions. For individuals who value a steady field with continuous openings rather than rapid expansion, tutoring can be a practical option. Those considering related careers might also look at substitute teachers (short-term), teachers and instructors (all other), adult basic and secondary education and English as a second language instructors, mathematical science teachers (postsecondary), and school psychologists.
Location can significantly shape opportunities for tutors. Among states with the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, California has the largest employment level at 45,370 tutors, followed by New York with 12,730, Massachusetts with 4,610, Colorado with 2,500, and Washington with 2,460. Median salaries in these states range from $45,100 in California to $60,900 in Massachusetts, suggesting substantial variation in typical pay. All of these states show the same projected growth rate of 0.6%, so differences among them relate more to current employment levels, salaries, and opportunity scores than to growth. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ both have very high opportunity scores, at 77.42 and 77.27 respectively. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH offers the highest listed median salary at $64,710, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV combine mid-to-high salaries with thousands of employed tutors. These contrasts allow tutors to weigh pay, local employment size, and opportunity scores when choosing where to work.
The typical education level for tutors is some college but no degree. This means many roles are accessible without completing a full degree program, although postsecondary study is still common. To succeed, tutors benefit from a broad set of skills. Interpersonal, speaking and listening, and customer service skills support effective interactions with learners and families. Writing and reading skills are important for supporting literacy and communicating clearly. Mathematics and science skills matter for working with quantitative and scientific content. Critical and analytical thinking, along with creativity and innovation, help tutors approach learning challenges and adapt their methods. Adaptability supports working with different learners and situations, while leadership can be useful for guiding sessions and setting expectations. Individuals who build this combination of education and skills may also find pathways into related roles such as substitute teachers (short-term), teachers and instructors (all other), adult education and ESL instruction, mathematical science teaching, or school psychology.
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