As someone passionate about enriching young learners and developing catered solutions, the current education system may not make things easy. Teachers are often understaffed and overworked.
According to the National Education Association, 55% of teachers consider leaving the profession before their initial plan. Enter, freelance teaching.
Becoming a freelance teacher can alleviate your full-time woes and accommodate your work-life balance.
With schedule autonomy, increased earning potential, and more planning freedom, the freelance gig checks a lot of boxes.
To enter the freelance field, you’ll need to think of it as starting a business. Marketing, financial, and administrative work will fall on your shoulders.
- What Is a Freelance Teacher?
- What Does a Freelance Teacher Do?
- Top Freelance Teacher Jobs and Careers
- What It’s Like to Be a Freelance Teacher?
- Do Freelance Teachers Make Good Money?
- Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Freelance Teachers
- How to Become a Freelance Teacher
- Similar Careers to Check Out
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What Is a Freelance Teacher?
Unlike their full-time counterparts, freelance teachers work on a per-hour and per-class basis. They also offer private one-to-one or group sessions based on their niche.
For instance, some freelance teachers prefer to prepare their students for examinations like the SAT or ACT. The role isn’t limited to high school students; freelance workers can also tutor college students or adults.
In turn, the teachers should market their services rather than rely on a school or company. They handle other tasks, such as the lesson’s location and pay rate. That said, the job requires in-depth market research.
What Does a Freelance Teacher Do?
As a freelance teacher, you’ll want to ensure a healthy learning environment like any educator. It can be your living space, an online session, or a classroom.
You’ll need to plan your lessons and ensure they meet your contract’s length, whether one or five classes.
These sessions must build on previous objectives to provide a coherent learning flow. Before the teaching begins, prepare ample learner resources, such as worksheets or reading texts.
Freelance teaching also involves advertising services through multiple mediums, such as social media, networking, or word-of-mouth.
What Does a Freelance Teacher Usually Focus On?
Freelance teachers usually focus on building a network of clients and providing effective lesson plans.
They need to ensure their resources are on trend with the current curriculum. If they’re not following a plan that coincides with schooling, they will likely adhere to their students’ needs.
Freelance teachers may also focus on preparing students for standardized or admission tests like the MCAT.
Freelance Teacher Job Description
Freelance teachers hold multiple responsibilities, such as:
- Devising lesson plans to align with curricular or student needs
- Executing one-to-one or group teaching sessions
- Teach classrooms in institutions in a contract-based format
- Providing resources that cater to students’ learning requirements and development
- Creating an effective marketing strategy to draw in student clients
- Tracking student progress
- Planning activities for homework
- Organizing notes and study material for test preparations
Top Freelance Teacher Jobs and Careers
Freelance teaching can take several forms, including:
- Online Teacher: Online teaching can involve a one-to-one or group session tackling an objective, whether English learning or preparing for a test.
- Subject Tutor: As a tutor, you assist students in better understanding a learning objective. You’ll have to create customized resources to coincide with their ability.
- Substitute Teacher: Schools offer this position for independent contractors willing to work on a per-class basis. They substitute for absent full-time classroom teachers.
Where Can a Freelance Teacher Work?
Freelance teachers can work remotely, in an institution, or a rented space. For example, teaching English online will allow you to work from the comfort of your home.
Some schools offer teaching in the summer. In this case, you can work in the institution’s classrooms.
Freelance teachers may also work for private educational centers as tutors. You’ll then be working in the organization’s space.
What It’s Like to Be a Freelance Teacher?
Working as a freelance teacher is similar to starting an online business. You’re trying to advertise your services to attract a learners’ pool of reliable clients. Some people refer to the job as being a “teacherpreneur.”
Being a freelance teacher will give you flexible working hours, independence when creating resources, and more earning potential.
The role also involves juggling multiple students’ progress and efficiently catering to their learning abilities.
Is Being a Freelance Teacher Hard?
Of the several types of freelance jobs in the gig economy, teaching is one of the most demanding. You’ll need to manage the business and teaching aspects.
For instance, you’ll want to create an introduction video to market your service and prepare the necessary assessment tools.
Freelance teachers keep up with each student’s learning pace and prescribe a custom learning plan while managing their business upkeep. That takes time and lots of self-motivation.
Is a Freelance Teacher’s Job Stressful?
The stresses of freelance teaching usually stem from wearing multiple hats. You consult, teach, plan, and market.
The job also requires you to devise a financial plan for your business and establish a pricing and payment method.
Despite the flexible working hours, you may spend the rest of your time on your advertising and networking efforts. Those can include building a website or creating business cards.
Common Freelance Teacher Work Day
Like most other types of freelance jobs, your days won’t be the same. It all depends on your scheduled classes and business workflow.
Some days, you might fit in more students, whereas others, you’ll work on organizing your finances. If your services are versatile, you might have days where you have to go to school and others you’ll teach remotely.
Freelance Teacher Tasks & Duties
Your initial tasks will likely involve checking your schedule for your sessions. You’ll want to make the necessary preparations, like worksheet resources or assessments. You may also want to read through a teacher’s guide for additional support.
During your sessions, you can test your students’ current knowledge to critique their learning level. Then, plan for their needs and attempt to guide them through the taught objectives. You’ll need to monitor the student’s progress and give feedback.
Besides that, you’ll have administrative tasks, such as responding to emails and bookkeeping. Your duties also encompass financial reviews and uploading marketing content.
Freelance Teacher Work Hours & Schedule
Freelance teachers targeting school children will likely work during after-school hours unless offering substitute services. You may also work during the weekends.
Overall, you have a lot of autonomy over your working schedule if you offer private tutoring sessions. If you’re on a contract basis, the organization will likely decide your check-in hours.
Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance?
Even though freelance teaching incorporates several tasks and responsibilities, you can enjoy a work-life balance. You’re more able to manage the workload since you’re in control of its capacity.
You can enhance your work-life balance as a freelance teacher if you stick to a niche. Rather than offer your private lessons to four grade levels, you can limit them to two. You can also zero in on test tutoring instead.
Do Freelance Teachers Make Good Money?
Freelance teachers earn more on an hourly basis than full-time educators. That said, you’ll have better earning potential as long as you have a consistent clientele.
With a global private tutoring market prospecting at a jaw-dropping $201.8 billion value by 2026, freelance teaching’s job outlook looks positive.
How Much Do Freelance Teachers Make?
According to ZipRecruiter, freelance teachers earn a $25 hourly average.
Yearly, that can amount to over $52,000. Other sources like Glassdoor stipulate a lower annual average, reaching about $42,000.
How Do Freelance Teachers Get Paid?
Freelance teachers have the freedom to choose their payment method. In most scenarios, they get paid on a contract-based or hourly rate agreement. That can work for private tuition, online sessions, and class covers.
The best part about freelance teaching is that you receive higher pay in schools and other institutions. Since they don’t have to provide insurance, compensation, or tax payments, they can offer you a better deal.
Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Freelance Teachers
Freelance teaching requires multiple skills and prerequisites, especially if you want to improve your credibility.
Who Should Consider a Freelance Teacher Career Path?
If you can juggle multiple tasks, are business savvy, self-sufficient, and self-driven, freelance teaching is worth considering.
Besides that, having previous teaching experience is an exceptional plus since you better understand the resource and planning requirements.
You can consider the role if you’re looking for more flexible work hours and autonomy over your teaching procedure.
Who Should NOT Consider a Freelance Teacher Career Path?
Freelance teaching isn’t for someone that appreciates the support of a team. As a self-motivated role, you’re in charge of your business unless you hire externally.
You should also avoid freelance teaching if negotiating prices and advertising your business doesn’t seem appealing.
The marketing aspect will control the success of your career, and if it’s not up to par, you won’t last against competitors.
Is It Hard to Become a Freelance Teacher?
If you have teaching experience, becoming a freelance teacher won’t be as challenging. The tough part is getting your name out there and attracting clients.
Before that, you’ll have to build a solid business plan of the services you’ll offer, your rates, and your schedule. It can be difficult to do so if you have little experience in entrepreneurship.
That said, once you’ve garnered a few deals, it’ll establish your resume and credibility.
What Do I Need to Become a Freelance Teacher?
From teaching skills to business know-how, becoming a freelance teacher involves lots of requirements.
Requirements for Becoming a Freelance Teacher
Freelance teaching requires a stable internet connection and a solid laptop. We also suggest investing in a mid-range headset to enhance your delivery.
What Skills Does a Freelance Teacher Need?
Freelance teachers need to have these skills:
- Business development
- Teaching
- Time management
- Marketing
- Networking
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
A relevant education to your teaching subject can increase your credibility. You can also stick to certifications that vary statewide.
Some certifications are specialized based on tests. For example, you can opt for an SAT tutor certification program.
You can state your freelance teaching experience by offering a tutoring service in your neighborhood.
Your experience can also come from full-time teaching. The prior work will give you an advantage as you browse for clients and advertise your service.
How to Become a Freelance Teacher
It all starts with one client before emerging into a growing business for freelance teachers. If you’re new to freelancing, here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started.
Step 1: Create a Plan
Before embarking on any action, you need to create a solid plan detailing your business operations.
You’ll need to ask, “What subjects and grade level will I teach?” “How much money am I expecting to make?” “What will I charge?” “Will I go by contract or an hourly rate?”
Answering these questions is critical to establishing your foundation. Following the plan, you should research your state’s tax requirements for freelancing. In turn, developing a financial tracking method will save you a lot of hassles.
Since you’re not operating under a company, insurance, and pension plans aren’t available.
They all fall under your responsibility and your financial tracking grid. That said, since freelancing holds an inconsistent cash flow, you’ll need to gauge your minimum monthly amount to pay your bills and other budget needs.
By working backward, you’ll know how to price your service and the workload you should take per month to cover your expenses.
Step 2: Prepare Your Equipment and Materials
After devising your plan, it’s time to prepare your teaching resources and materials. It can include your lesson plans, textbooks, quizzes, and notes.
Finding and creating these resources will involve in-depth research into your subject. You can also use online platforms. For instance, if you’re teaching a young demographic, you can use Twinkl to stay up to date.
Equipment-wise, you’ll need to have a high-quality webcam, a working laptop, and a stable connection if you’re working remotely. A top-notch microphone and headset can also increase your students’ engagement levels.
It’ll require an initial one-time hefty investment but will reap high rewards as you attract more clients. Besides that, you’ll need to consider the expenses of registering as an independent business according to your state’s freelancing laws.
Step 3: Advertise Your Service
Once your plan, materials, and equipment are set, you’re ready to go live. You can start by setting up a profile on a freelancing platform like Upwork, Fiverr, or other tutoring marketplaces. Make sure to showcase your certifications, expertise, and level of commitment to teaching.
The good news is that you can use tools like Google Ads and Promote on Instagram. Ensure that you have business profiles. You can go the extra mile and build a website detailing your services, testimonials, and prices.
Step 4: Find Your Gigs
Now that you’ve perfected your marketing message, plans, and materials, it’s time to actively search for roles and apply.
You can browse through teaching platforms, such as Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning for teaching professional skills and advancing career growth.
Other places include TutorMe and Coursera, which offer more specialized subjects for school and college-level demographics.
If you prefer tutoring a younger age group, you can check out Outschool, where you can teach Math, English, Arts, Science, Coding, and Tech.
Overall, the U.S.’s online tutoring service industry has amounted to an impressive $1.9 billion in 2022. Consequently, you won’t have as much trouble searching for your niche and demographic.
Aside from finding gigs, you need to work on your professional development. That means signing up for workshops, attending networking conferences, and considering higher education options.
That way, you’ll build more integrity among students, parents, and educational districts.
Similar Careers to Check Out
Check out other freelance gigs below.
- Freelance Mechanic: Being a freelance mechanic requires exceptional technical skills in vehicle and general repair knowledge.
- Freelance Accountant: As a freelance accountant, you don’t have to stick with a finance firm. Instead, you can service clients directly with their accounting tasks.
- Freelance Grant Writer: If you’re a proficient persuasive writer, consider being a freelance grant writer and give organizations a better chance at receiving needed finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Become a Freelance Teacher?
Those with professional teaching experience have better chances of becoming successful freelance teachers.
Do Freelance Teachers Need a License?
Freelance teachers don’t need a license in most cases. Having relevant certifications and a bachelor’s degree will increase your credibility and earn more clients.
Wrapping Up
With full-time teaching garnering more responsibilities and fewer rewards, freelance teaching is becoming a more attractive option for educators.
Organizations are also following suit on the growing trend of freelance teachers. It serves them multiple benefits, from cost-effectiveness and flexibility to targeted expertise and enhanced creativity.
Overall, we suggest checking the role out if you’re organized, self-motivated, and knowledgeable of teaching practice.
