When people search for the best ways for a teenager to make money, tutoring appears time and again as a top, flexible option that builds skills and pays well. Tutoring is one of the most durable side hustles for teenagers because it requires almost no startup capital, scales with experience, and is in steady demand from parents and students. This long-form guide walks you—step by step—through setting up a tutoring side hustle, sourcing the few inexpensive items you need (most under $100), finding and vetting clients safely, setting pricing, and turning one-off sessions into recurring income during high school.

Along the way you’ll find practical, actionable advice: the exact supplies that help sessions look and feel professional (for example, EXPO low-odor dry-erase markers are a classroom staple and make handwriting on a lapboard crisp and readable), sample pricing strategies, templated messaging to get your first clients, and safety rules every teen should follow. The tips below are designed so a motivated student can launch a tutoring business with under $100 and grow it throughout high school.

1. Why tutoring is a top side hustle for teenagers

Tutoring sits at the intersection of low startup cost and high hourly value. Unlike minimum-wage retail or delivery-type gigs, tutoring is skill-based: parents pay for demonstrated improvement, and you can charge higher rates as you establish results. Tutoring builds communication, lesson planning, and time-management skills—abilities that show up positively on college applications and resumes. If you study the research on learning science (see Wikipedia: Tutoring for a primer), you’ll see why one-on-one and small-group instruction consistently impact grades and confidence.

As a teenager you have several natural advantages:

  • You are often closer in age to younger students, making you approachable for elementary and middle-school learners.
  • You can offer competitive pricing compared with adult tutors while still delivering strong outcomes.
  • Your school network—teachers, counselors, club advisors—can be a referral engine.

Quick example: an entry-level teen tutor charging $20/hour who works six hours per week during the school year can earn nearly $480/month (before taxes). With good testimonials and a specialty—like algebra, Spanish, or test prep—rates can increase substantially.

2. Three-step startup checklist (skills, supplies, simple systems)

To launch quickly, treat tutoring like a mini-business. You need: (A) a narrow skill set to offer, (B) a small set of low-cost supplies to make sessions run smoothly, and (C) a simple booking + record-keeping method.

Pick your subjects and client type

Choose 1–3 subjects you can teach well. For many high-school students, those subjects are algebra, geometry, Spanish, biology, or writing/grammar. Decide whether you’ll tutor elementary/middle students (often easier to get started with) or older peers (who may pay more for advanced help). If you plan to offer test-prep (SAT/ACT), be realistic about how you will demonstrate credibility—test scores or documented student improvement help.

Buy a few supplies that make sessions look professional

A handful of inexpensive items improves the student experience and signals professionalism to parents. Examples with direct, highly-rated options:

  • A reliable set of dry-erase markers: EXPO Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers. These are inexpensive, easy to find, and familiar to parents and teachers.
  • Blank flash cards for drills (affordable multi-packs on Amazon).
  • A portable lapboard or small whiteboard (many small boards cost under $25).
  • Wireless earbuds or a headset for remote sessions—an entry-level but highly-rated option is the Anker Soundcore earbuds, which provide clear audio for remote tutoring.

Simple booking and record-keeping

Use a free calendar (Google Calendar) combined with a simple spreadsheet to track students, sessions, learning goals, and payments. Create a one-page intake form (Google Form) to collect student name, grade, parent contact info, target outcomes, and scheduling preferences. A tidy system reduces accidental double-bookings and makes it easier to invoice families at month’s end.

3. Safety, permissions, and parental communication

Because you are likely a minor, safety and transparency are non-negotiable. Always involve a parent in scheduling, prices, and location choices. For in-person sessions, hold the first meeting at the parent’s home or a public place like a library meeting room (with parental approval). For online sessions, use platforms parents approve of (Zoom, Google Meet) and invite the parent to an initial call to set expectations.

Basic rules to follow:

  • Never meet a client alone at an isolated location without a parent knowing the details.
  • Keep digital records of hours, payments, and progress notes.
  • If a parent asks you to do anything uncomfortable (e.g., meet at odd hours), decline and involve a trusted adult or school advisor.

4. Pricing strategies and packages

Begin with market research: ask local tutors what they charge or browse local community boards. A common starting range for teen tutors is $15–$30 per hour for general homework help; for subject specialists or SAT/ACT coaches, $40+/hour is reasonable when backed by results. Consider beginner offers like a discounted first session to attract customers.

Package ideas that improve retention:

  • Multi-session packs (e.g., 10 sessions at a 10% discount).
  • Monthly subscription (two sessions/week for a set price).
  • Homework help block (30 minutes daily check-in, lower per-minute rate).

Invoice simply: list session dates, hours, hourly rate, and the total. If you accept electronic payments, Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal (with parental oversight for minors) are common. Keep a spreadsheet for bookkeeping and save receipts for tax reporting — even teens must report earned income.

5. Finding clients: practical channels that work

There are repeatable, low-cost channels that produce steady leads:

School networks and teacher referrals

Ask teachers or school counselors whether you can post a flyer on a community board (follow school policy). Many schools run peer tutoring programs and will welcome a reliable, vetted teen volunteer or paid tutor.

Neighbors and community platforms

Post a short, professional message in neighborhood apps (Nextdoor, Facebook community groups), and hand out a simple flyer at local libraries and community centers. Word-of-mouth is powerful—one satisfied parent usually leads to two more clients.

Online listings and remote tutoring

Create a clean one-page listing on a free site — include your subjects, available times, a short testimonial (ask parents for permission to publish), and a contact method. For remote tutoring, list your availability in local time and describe the tech you use (Zoom/Google Meet, screen sharing). If you plan to use educational platforms, read their age and payment rules first.

6. Delivering high-quality sessions that lead to referrals

Great sessions are structured, measurable, and interactive. A typical 45–60 minute session can follow this flow:

  1. 5 minutes — quick review of prior homework and what worked/was difficult.
  2. 10–20 minutes — focused instruction on one concept.
  3. 15–20 minutes — guided practice and problems with feedback.
  4. 5–10 minutes — assignment for independent practice and a brief progress note for the parent.

Use the dry-erase board for diagrams and worked examples. Flash cards accelerate recall for vocabulary and math facts. For remote sessions, use screen share and a digital whiteboard (Jamboard, Whiteboard.fi) if you don’t have a physical board. Send a short summary after each session—a two-sentence note and the homework assignment—to keep parents informed and create a documented record of progress.

7. Marketing, testimonials, and scaling

After three to five successful clients, ask for short testimonials you can include in your flyer or listing (get parent permission). Testimonials are the fastest path to better bookings. Other growth steps:

  • Offer group sessions for small groups (2–3 students) at a slightly discounted per-student rate to increase hourly revenue.
  • Partner with other teen tutors to cover more subjects and refer clients to each other.
  • Create short instructional videos (Reels/TikTok) with study tips and link to your booking page—these help with discoverability among parents and older students.

8. Practical examples, templates, and a sample first-week plan

Sample message to parents (via email or message board):

Hi — my name is [Your Name], a high school junior who tutors algebra and pre-algebra. I offer 45-minute sessions for $20/hour (first session $15). I have experience helping students improve test scores and homework completion. References available. If interested, please reply with available times. — [Your Name], [Phone / Email]

Sample first-week plan for new tutor:

  1. Day 1: Finalize flyer, buy EXPO markers and lapboard, create Google Form intake.
  2. Day 2–3: Post in neighborhood groups and hand out 10 printed flyers to neighbors.
  3. Day 4: First two introductory sessions (discounted) and ask for feedback.
  4. Day 5: Update listing with two short testimonials and set regular weekly slots.

9. Resources and credible reading

For background on tutoring best practices, see the Wikipedia article on tutoring: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutoring.

10. Tools & product recommendations (affiliate links)

Below are the starter items I recommend. Each item helps you appear professional and keeps sessions focused. The first two are direct, highly-reviewed options; others are useful search targets if you prefer a different brand.

11. Frequently asked questions (quick answers)

Q: Do I need a work permit to tutor?

A: Age and work-permit rules vary by state; check your state labor department and school policies. Many tutoring arrangements for teens are informal and parent-managed, but formal work may require permits in some jurisdictions.

Q: How should I handle cancellations?

A: Have a simple cancellation policy (e.g., 24 hours notice required for full refund). Communicate it clearly before the first paid session and include it on your intake form.

Q: Can I tutor online if I’m under 18?

A: Yes, but involve a parent when arranging accounts, payment methods, and session links. Use platforms that permit minors with adult oversight and avoid sharing sensitive information.

12. Long-term growth: turning tutoring into a brand

After you have steady clients, consider these growth moves:

  • Create short paid or free video lessons to use as marketing and passive income.
  • Offer workshops for small groups before big exams (midterms, finals).
  • Collaborate with other tutors to offer multi-subject packages for families with multiple children.

As you grow, track metrics: hours, clients, retention rate, average hourly effective rate (income ÷ hours worked), and student improvement measures (grade or test-score changes). These numbers help you price smarter and make data-driven decisions.

Whether you try tutoring as a short-term way to make money in high school or develop it into a longer-term small business, the skills you build—communication, planning, and teaching—are valuable well beyond immediate income. Start small, protect your safety, document outcomes, and let referrals grow your business organically.