My ex-husband’s sister lives in the same town as my 16 year old son and I. We are not at all close, a ‘hello how ya doin’ is pretty much it when we run into each other at the grocery store, though Finally-Son spends Christmas Day with that side of the family yearly and a week in the summer at a home in Michigan. Sis-in-law called today requesting Finally-Son tutor her 12 year old daughter so her daughter can qualify for an honors, rather than advanced placement, math class. She can test up to the preferred class half way through the summer break. He’s more than capable of doing this.
Finally-Son and I have discussed that if this comes to pass they will meet at the public library and she’ll have to be dropped off and picked up by a parent or sitter, Finally-Son will not drive her anywhere or be alone with her at any time (I knew someone would ask!).
Does anyone have any thoughts as to what a fair hourly charge would be? The initial conversation between Finally-Son and his aunt was casual, ‘a couple of times a week’ and I don’t want to price is so high they decide to go elsewhere, but on the other hand don’t want my son to be taken advantage of (and his aunt is more than capable of doing just that).
So what do you think?
Thanks in advance.
I’ve paid anywhere from $15/hour for a college student freelance tutor to $45/hour for a professional adult tutor for my kids.
I was thinking about $10/hour so that sounds like it’s not unreasonable. Thank you.
I don’t know the girl at all and Finally-Son only sees her 2-3 times a year. I’d feel better if they’re not alone. Just being careful.
a few years ago i charged $10/hr for family (cousins), $15-20 for friends of the family, and $25 for people that took my fliers. then i did a stint as a tutor via my school and got shafted big time, being paid $7.50 as a homework helper/librarian. after a semester of that, I realized how valuable the stuff up in my head was and just charged $30/hr for everyone (and still got business).
Aw c’mon—you gotta start with the fundamental equations before you progress to the hard stuff, right? 
Here in southern California $15 is the going rate for that level of mathematics. Community college instructors who moonlight for extra cash generally bill out at $35, and that will get you instruction in any math subject you need help with.
$10 sounds fair for a high school tutor. There are some tutoring positions that charge as little as that (believe me, I know.) It won’t break the girl’s bank and at least he’ll be earning more than minimum wage!
When I was in grad school (for math) in 2003 in the Northeast, I charged $35/hour.
Crimeny. Tutors are expensive.