Average Cost to Hire a Math Tutor — Tutoring Rates & Pricing

Tutoring hourly rates for math subjects vary widely. If you’re looking for a private calculus tutor in Los Angeles, it’s easy to understand why they cost more than an elementary math tutor in Birmingham. Experience, location, subject matter and type of session all play a role in math tutoring costs.  

If your child is struggling with math or just needs some extra support, tutoring can help increase their understanding and raise their test scores. Even better, it can give them the boost in confidence they need to pursue other interests — like science or technology.

Here are the most important financial factors to consider when finding a math tutor for your child.

6 Factors that impact math tutoring costs

1. Tutoring session length

How much time is the math tutor spending with your child? 

Most tutors charge by the hour, though 30-minute sessions are also common (and may be a better choice for younger students). A longer session equals a higher price. 

2. Tutor’s travel time

If the math tutor is traveling to your home or local library, they may include travel fees in their rate. This could be in addition to their hourly fee or factored in. 

Clarify costs with your tutor now, so you’re not hit with a surprising amount later.

3. Complexity of the subject

Math is a complicated subject, but early math (like addition or multiplication) is typically going to be simpler to teach than more advanced, college-level topics. 

Of course, just because you know how to multiply doesn’t mean you have the time (or patience) to teach multiplication to your seven-year-old. A former math teacher with extensive experience in early childhood may charge more, but be necessary to help the math lessons click. To help your child improve their math skills, they need guidance from someone who really understands the subject matter.

And if you’re looking for someone who can thoroughly explain advanced calculus or non-Euclidean geometry, you can expect to pay even more.

4. Area you live in

When it comes to average math tutoring costs, where you live matters. If you’re in a large city with a high cost of living, you’ll naturally pay more than if you live in a rural Midwest town. Many tutors do this work full-time, so they need to charge enough for a living wage.

If you can’t afford a professional tutor, look into hiring a mathematically-inclined high school or college student to help. Someone looking to fill a few hours with a part-time gig will typically charge less, valuing the experience more. 

5. Type of tutoring session

One-on-one, in-person tutoring is the most expensive option, but it also allows for the most personalization. If your child is really struggling with math, knowing you have someone dropping in weekly to help can be a huge relief.

But if your child only needs a little extra practice and motivation, a group setting may do the trick. And of course, in-person or virtual also makes a difference. Think about how your child learns best and choose your tutoring session type accordingly.

6. Frequency of sessions

How often you schedule your child’s math tutor can affect their hourly rate. Many tutors offer bundles of sessions at a discount. Or weekly tutoring rates may be lower than a once-a-month hourly rate. 

Think about how often and how many sessions you need. And consider asking about prepaid bundles, if that makes sense for your family.

Average tutoring prices for a math tutor

The average hourly rate for a math tutor is $40 USD, with a range typically between $25 to $80 per hour. 

That’s a huge swing. But even though the cost is likely to fluctuate based on the above factors, it’s still nice to have an idea of what to expect. 

As mentioned above, the type of tutoring session is an important factor in tutoring rates. Here are some ranges to keep in mind based on the style of tutoring your child needs.

Private math tutor costs

Professional tutor rate range: $40 to $125 USD per hour.

Student tutor rate range: $20 to $50 USD per hour.

Private math tutoring is one of the best ways to boost your child’s math scores and confidence. The sessions can be personalized, focusing exactly on your child’s biggest math struggles.

Find a tutor who specializes in your child’s age, grade and learning style to create the most effective tutoring experience possible.

Online math tutoring costs

Online private tutor rate range: $20 to $100 USD per hour.

Online group tutor rate range: $15 to $75 USD per hour.

Online learning is here to stay, which is great news for families looking for tutoring services. Online tutoring has created more affordable and convenient options for both families and tutors.

Search for a professional with online availability, or use an online tutoring service.

Tutoring company costs

Tutoring company rate range: $30 to $85 USD per hour.

Tutoring companies, also called learning centers, offer a wide range of tutoring services, often at their own location. Search online for one near you to explore their tutoring options. Many offer both private and group sessions across subjects.

Though the rate ranges above are on par with other private options, some centers charge admission, assessment, or books and materials fees. It’s a good idea to ask for a full cost breakdown and a trial period before committing.

Grade level tutoring costs

Grade level tutoring rates: varies based on grade and the tutor’s experience.

As your child advances in math, so does the price of your tutor. More advanced math requires more advanced degrees. To make a good match, ensure your tutor is knowledgeable about your child’s grade and required math skills. 

An advanced mathematics professor is not likely to be the best choice for your second grader, but may be exactly who your high schooler needs to ace their next trig exam. Choose someone who enjoys working with students your child’s age and you’ll have the best chance of making a strong tutoring match.

Group tutoring costs

Group tutoring rates: $25 to $75 per hour.

If your child needs extra motivation and works well with others, group tutoring lessons may be a great choice. Though your child won’t be getting the same amount of one-on-one help as a private session, having someone simply reshare the info in a new way can make all the difference. 

Group lessons may also be an economical choice for homeschoolers who need a little extra help with more advanced math. There are many free, online video resources. But if those just aren’t quite clicking, try a group lesson before jumping into more expensive private tutoring. 

Foundation levels tutoring costs

Foundation level tutoring rates: Varies based on grade, type of session and the tutor’s experience.

Foundations tutoring is another name for helping younger students grasp the primary levels of math. As mentioned above, these rates vary based on the complexity of the subject. So typically, foundation level tutoring will be less expensive than higher-level math topics.

These foundational lessons often work great as group lessons. Look for early childhood teachers who host online group classes as a way to tackle some of those early math struggles.

What type of tutoring does my child need?

There are many different options for math tutoring. So which is best for your child?

One of the first steps is to talk with your child’s teacher. They can help you pinpoint where your child is struggling, making it easier to choose a tutor who specializes in that particular subject matter. 

Also, ask your child. How do they feel about their performance? Do they need a few hours of extra practice and a confidence boost? Then explore a group setting and see if that helps them improve.

If your child is behind their grade level and struggling with foundational concepts, a private tutor can work closely with your child to get them back on track. A conversation with your child and their teacher can help point you in the right direction.

Don’t forget to consider how your child best learns. If your child thrived during distance learning, an online program may be most convenient and save you some money. But if online learning was a chore, find an in-person private tutor or tutoring company to assist your child.

Use Prodigy for math learning success

Trying to find the right math tutor at the right price can seem like an uphill battle. But once you've found the right fit for your child's needs, it gets a lot easier!

Outside of tutoring, it's tricky to engage your child in math practice, especially if they want to unwind after tutoring sessions with activities like gaming. But there is a solution: Prodigy Math!

Prodigy Math is a safe, online math game that can help your child build math skills – while having fun!

All in-game educational content is free for your child to access. Plus, with a free parent account you can cheer them on and get a monthly report on their progress.

And the best bit? They'll have so much fun exploring a fantasy world full of spells, adventures, and truly epic pets!

Prodigy Math also has optional Memberships which unlock extra tools for parents and bonus rewards for kids, including:

• Access to extra math resources like Practice Sheets and Video Lessons
• Loads of engaging in-game content like gear, pets and exciting quests
• Set learning goals for your child and give in-game rewards (ideal for supporting tutoring)

Let's help your child discover their love for learning math, give them a Prodigy Math Membership today!

See what parents and educators have to say about Prodigy Math below! 👇