What Tutors do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Tutors this way: "Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Schedule tutoring appointments with students or their parents"; "Prepare and facilitate tutoring workshops, collaborative projects, or academic support sessions for small groups of students"; "Participate in training and development sessions to improve tutoring practices or learn new tutoring techniques"; "Organize tutoring environment to promote productivity and learning"; "Monitor student performance or assist students in academic environments, such as classrooms, laboratories, or computing centers".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is some college, no degree.
Job outlook for Tutors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 208,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 208,000 in 2035, a decrease of 400 jobs (-0.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 34,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 16.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 12.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $43,350, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Tutors earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $44,662 in New Jersey to $46,588 in New York, a gap of $1,926 (1.04 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $43,350 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 43,390, which is 56.1% of the 77,370 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 17,440.
Highest-paying states
New York ($46,588), California ($45,224) and New Jersey ($44,662) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($44,662) and California ($45,224) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Tutors: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $7,182. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $3,309 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 1 of the 3 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 61.9% and 87.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Tutors
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-3000) include Self-Enrichment Teachers and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Frequently asked questions about Tutors
How much do Tutors earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $43,350. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $44,662 to $46,588.
Which state pays Tutors the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $46,588. California is next at $45,224.
Is Tutors a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 34,200 openings a year.
What education do Tutors need?
The typical entry-level education is some college, no degree, according to BLS.
Where can Tutors afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $7,182 on a median wage of $46,550.