What is the Typical Pay Per Hour for Teaching English Online?

 The pay rate for teaching English online can vary significantly based on several factors, including your experience, qualifications, the platform you work with, your target students, and the types of lessons you provide. Understanding the typical pay ranges for online English teaching can help you set realistic expectations and determine the financial viability of pursuing this career.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the typical pay ranges for online English teachers, as well as the factors that influence how much you can earn per hour.

---

1. Pay for Online English Teaching: The Range

The pay per hour for teaching English online can range anywhere from $8 to $40+ per hour depending on the platform, your experience, and the type of lessons you offer. The range is wide because of the differences in the market, student base, and platform structure. Let’s break it down by different categories:

1.1 Entry-Level Teachers (Typically $8–$15 per hour)

If you’re just starting out with limited experience or qualifications, you can expect to earn on the lower end of the pay scale. Many online teaching platforms that are beginner-friendly typically offer hourly rates that fall within this range.

• Platforms: Some platforms that offer opportunities for new teachers include VIPKid, Qkids, and Cambly. These platforms often provide lesson plans, which can reduce your preparation time. However, the pay is lower, especially for entry-level teachers.

• Experience Level: New teachers without much experience in teaching English or a formal teaching certification (like TEFL or TESOL) will likely find themselves earning between $8 and $12 per hour on average. These platforms may also offer incentives or bonuses based on the number of classes taught or student feedback, which can help increase earnings slightly.

• Student Demographics: Newer teachers may be working with younger students, such as children from China, or beginners. While these lessons may require additional patience and creativity, they are typically lower-paying compared to more advanced student groups.

1.2 Intermediate Teachers (Typically $12–$25 per hour)

Once you gain more experience and perhaps add some certifications or qualifications to your resume, you can expect to earn higher rates. Teachers with a bit of experience, perhaps one or two years of teaching English, are often paid in this mid-tier range.

• Platforms: Platforms like Italki, Preply, and AmazingTalker allow teachers to set their own rates, which means you can potentially charge higher rates once you’ve built a solid student base. These platforms are a great choice for teachers who want more flexibility in terms of earnings and lesson content.

• Experience and Certifications: Teachers who have completed a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification can expect to earn more than those without. Additional qualifications can also open doors to more specialized lessons, such as business English or exam preparation, which generally pay more.

• Lesson Type: Intermediate teachers may be teaching a wider range of students, from children to adults. Business English lessons or specialized exam preparation (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) often command a higher rate than general English conversation classes.

1.3 Experienced Teachers (Typically $25–$40+ per hour)

Teachers who have several years of experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can earn a much higher rate per hour. If you have a strong reputation, a portfolio of students, or a niche in teaching certain types of English (like business English, exam prep, or English for professionals), you can command higher pay.

• Platforms: For experienced teachers, platforms such as VIPKid (for experienced teachers), iTalki (for specialized lessons), and EF Education First often offer higher pay rates. As a teacher with more experience, you can also work directly with clients, cutting out the platform middleman, which allows you to keep a larger percentage of the earnings.

• Specializations: Business English, legal English, medical English, and test prep (IELTS, TOEFL) are typically the highest-paying areas within online English teaching. These lessons often require more in-depth knowledge and expertise, allowing you to charge a premium rate.

• Group Lessons: Teachers who offer group lessons can also increase their hourly rate, as you are paid for teaching multiple students at once. For instance, if you charge $25 per hour and teach a group of four students, you’ll earn $100 for that hour.

1.4 High-End and Specialized Teachers ($40 per hour and above)

Highly experienced teachers who have specialized expertise or those who teach niche skills such as business English or prepare students for high-level exams (e.g., Cambridge exams, IELTS, or TOEFL) may charge premium rates.

• Platforms and Private Clients: At this level, you may teach students privately, or through platforms that cater to more affluent clients. Wyzant and Superprof are examples of platforms where experienced teachers can command a premium rate. Alternatively, you may opt for private tutoring with clients willing to pay a premium for top-notch instruction.

• Personal Brand and Demand: Teachers who have established a personal brand or reputation in a particular niche may be able to set their own rates and teach fewer hours, as they will have more demand for their services.

---

2. Factors That Influence Pay Rates

While the general pay ranges provide some guidelines, several factors can influence the amount you earn per hour. Here are some of the most important factors:

2.1 Experience and Qualifications

As mentioned earlier, teachers with more experience and certifications are likely to earn more. Having a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate will help you stand out, as these qualifications are often required by many teaching platforms. Furthermore, if you have experience teaching specialized English (e.g., business English or test preparation), you will be able to charge more per hour.

2.2 Location and Student Base

The location of your students can have a significant impact on how much you can earn. Students in countries with higher income levels or those seeking specialized lessons (e.g., business professionals) are more likely to pay higher rates for quality teaching. On the other hand, students from developing countries or regions where English teaching is less valued may result in lower hourly pay.

For instance, teaching English to students in China or South Korea may yield a different pay scale than teaching students from Europe or North America. Additionally, students seeking English for specific purposes, such as exams or professional needs, may be willing to pay more for higher-quality lessons.

2.3 Type of Lesson and Student Goals

Specialized lessons like test preparation (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL), business English, or academic English tend to command a higher hourly rate because they require more knowledge and expertise. If you're teaching conversational English or general English, you can expect to earn less per hour. However, these classes tend to attract a larger number of students, which may lead to more consistent bookings.

---

3. Maximizing Your Earnings as an Online English Teacher

To make the most of your earnings as an online English teacher, consider the following strategies:

• Increase your specialization: Focus on specialized areas, such as business English, English for specific purposes (ESP), or test preparation. These lessons tend to attract higher-paying students.

• Build a personal brand: Having a strong online presence, including a website or social media profiles, can help you attract more students and raise your rates. Word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat business can also help boost your income.

• Leverage group classes: Offering group lessons is an effective way to increase your hourly pay by teaching multiple students simultaneously.

• Choose the right platforms: Platforms like Italki and Preply allow you to set your own rates, while VIPKid and Qkids typically have set pay scales. Do some research to find the best platform that matches your experience and teaching style.

---

Conclusion

In summary, the typical pay for teaching English online can vary based on factors such as your experience, certifications, the platform you use, the student demographic, and the type of lessons you offer. Entry-level teachers can expect to earn around $8–$15 per hour, while experienced teachers can earn anywhere from $25 to $40+ per hour. By specializing in high-demand areas like business English or test preparation, leveraging group classes, and building a strong reputation, you can maximize your earnings and potentially earn a substantial income while enjoying the flexibility that comes with teaching English online.