How Much to Charge for Tuition in Singapore (2026)
· 7 min read · By the TuitionCRM team
Charge too little and you burn out teaching 30 hours a week for a salary you could earn in 20. Charge too much without the track record to back it up and parents quietly go elsewhere. Here's what tutors in Singapore are charging in 2026, and how to find the right number for you.
Typical tuition rates in Singapore for 2026
These are the hourly ranges that tuition agencies and parent guides list for 1-to-1 home tuition in 2026. They're market averages, not rules — but they're what parents compare you against.
| Level | Part-time tutor | Full-time tutor | Ex/current MOE teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary 1–3 | S$25–35 | S$35–50 | S$60–80 |
| Primary 4–6 (PSLE) | S$30–40 | S$40–55 | S$70–90 |
| Secondary 1–2 | S$35–45 | S$45–60 | S$75–100 |
| Secondary 3–5 (O-Level) | S$40–50 | S$45–65 | S$80–105 |
| JC 1–2 (A-Level) | S$50–60 | S$60–80 | S$95–130 |
A few patterns hold across every guide:
- Exam years cost more. P6, Sec 4/5 and JC2 sit at the top of each band because parents value exam experience most.
- Specialist subjects command a premium. H2 Maths, H2 Chemistry, Physics and IB HL subjects are usually priced above General Paper or lower-secondary Science.
- Group classes are cheaper per student but earn you more per hour. Three students at S$35 each beats one at S$70.
Five things that decide your rate
- Your qualifications and experience. Ex-MOE or NIE-trained, a relevant degree, or many years of results.
- Your track record. "8 of my 10 P6 students moved up at least one AL band" is worth more than any certificate.
- The level and subject. Use the table above as your starting band.
- Where you teach. Travelling to the student's home costs you time — many tutors charge S$5–10 more per hour for home visits, or set a minimum lesson length.
- Demand. If your weekly slots are full and you have a waiting list, your price is too low.
Per hour, per lesson or per month?
Most private tutors in Singapore quote per hour — it's what parents compare. But how you bill can be different:
- Per lesson (pay for what's taught): simplest and fairest, but your income dips in school holidays and exam weeks.
- Monthly fee: a fixed amount (e.g. 4 lessons a month) gives you steady income. Pair it with a clear make-up lesson policy.
- Packages: parents prepay 10 lessons. Good for cash flow and commitment — just track the balance carefully.
How to work out your own rate
- Pick your target monthly income. Say S$6,000.
- Count realistic teaching hours. Not your maximum — the hours you can sustain. Say 22 hours a week, about 90 a month.
- Add your costs. Transport, materials, printing, software and CPF MediSave if you're self-employed — perhaps S$400 a month.
- Divide. (S$6,000 + S$400) ÷ 90 hours ≈ S$71 an hour.
- Compare with the market band for your level and experience, and adjust.
If the number is far above the market band, you need more hours, group classes, or a stronger track record to justify it. If it's below, you're leaving money on the table.
How (and when) to raise your rates
- Give a month's notice. Send it in writing — a short WhatsApp is fine.
- Raise at natural break points: the start of the school year in January, or after mid-year exams.
- Explain the value, don't apologise. Mention results, the materials you prepare, and your exam-year experience.
- Keep it modest: S$5–10 an hour once a year is normal and rarely loses students.
- Grandfather if you want to keep loyal families — new rate for new students now, existing students from next year.
Make sure you actually get paid what you charge
The rate on paper doesn't matter if half your evenings go into counting lessons and chasing transfers. Read our guide on collecting tuition fees with PayNow, and remember that what you charge is income you'll need to declare to IRAS.