Tutor Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A tutor works with one student at a time, or a small group, to build skills and confidence in a subject or for a test. They assess where a student is stuck, plan sessions around that gap, explain ideas in a few different ways, and check for understanding instead of just finishing a worksheet.
Tutors work in subjects from elementary reading to AP calculus and standardized test prep, in person or online, for tutoring companies, schools or directly with families. The job rewards patience and the ability to read a student's confusion as much as subject mastery itself.
Tutor job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Tutor
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a tutor to work with students on [subject / test prep] [in person / online]. You'll plan sessions around each student's needs, track their progress, and keep families or teachers informed along the way.
What you'll do
- Assess each student's current level and specific gaps in [subject].
- Plan and run one-on-one or small-group sessions tailored to those gaps.
- Explain concepts in multiple ways until the student can apply them independently.
- Assign and review practice work between sessions.
- Track progress and share updates with [parents / teachers / the student].
- Adjust pacing and approach based on upcoming tests, deadlines or report cards.
- Keep sessions encouraging, especially for students who are frustrated or behind.
What you'll bring
- [X]+ years tutoring, teaching or working with students in [subject/age group].
- Strong command of [subject area] at the level you'll be teaching.
- Ability to explain the same concept several different ways.
- Patience with students who are frustrated, anxious or behind grade level.
- Clear, encouraging communication with students and [parents/guardians].
- Reliable scheduling and session preparation.
Nice to have
- A teaching credential or classroom experience.
- Experience with [SAT/ACT, a specific curriculum, or special education accommodations].
- Comfort tutoring over video with online whiteboard tools.
- A degree in the subject you'll tutor.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Flexible scheduling, pay per session, bonus for referrals or strong student outcomes]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: an application, a subject knowledge check, a sample session with a staff member playing the student, and a reference check.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Tutor duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Tutors one subject or grade band using provided materials.
- Follows a set curriculum or session plan with light customization.
- Builds comfort explaining concepts and managing session time.
Mid-level
- Tutors multiple subjects or grade levels and builds own session plans.
- Diagnoses root causes of a student's struggles, not just surface errors.
- Manages a regular caseload of students and communicates with families directly.
Senior
- Takes on the hardest cases: significant gaps, test anxiety or tight deadlines.
- Mentors newer tutors and reviews or creates session materials.
- May specialize in a high-stakes area such as competitive test prep or special education.
Tutor career path
- Tutor
- Lead Tutor
- Tutoring Center Manager or Curriculum Lead
- Teacher or Education Director
Tutoring is often a flexible side job for students, teachers and subject experts, but it can also be a full career, moving into lead tutor, center management or curriculum roles. Many tutors move into classroom teaching, instructional design or run their own independent tutoring practice.
Similar roles
- Teacher job description
Manages a full classroom and curriculum instead of individualized sessions.
- Teaching Assistant job description
Supports a classroom teacher rather than running independent sessions.
- Instructional Designer job description
Builds the materials and courses tutors and teachers deliver.
- Preschool Teacher job description
Works with younger children on broader development, not subject tutoring.
Tutor job description FAQ
What does a tutor do?
Works one-on-one or in small groups with a student to close specific gaps in a subject or prepare for a test. The job includes assessing where a student is stuck, planning sessions around that, and tracking progress over time.
What skills should a tutor job description require?
Strong knowledge of the subject at the level being taught, the ability to explain ideas several different ways, patience with struggling students, and reliable communication with parents or teachers. A teaching credential helps but isn't always required.
Do tutor jobs require a teaching degree?
Not usually. Many tutoring jobs ask for subject expertise and some teaching or mentoring experience rather than a formal credential, though school-based or special education tutoring roles may require one. State the requirement clearly in the posting.