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Job outlook for literacy tutors in the United States
Are literacy tutor jobs in demand?
Literacy tutor job and salary trends over time
Literacy tutor jobs over time
Literacy tutor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,385 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 16,321 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 22,030 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 7,597 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,621 | 0.00% |
Average literacy tutor salary over time
Literacy tutor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,648 | $16.66 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $33,802 | $16.25 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $33,710 | $16.21 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $33,108 | $15.92 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $32,547 | $15.65 | +3.7% |
Literacy tutor jobs by state
Most common states for literacy tutors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,134 | 20% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 264 | 20% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 180 | 19% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 120 | 19% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 110 | 19% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 114 | 15% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 152 | 14% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 476 | 13% |
| 9 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 228 | 13% |
| 10 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 360 | 12% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 159 | 12% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 124 | 12% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 105 | 12% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 653 | 11% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 229 | 11% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 209 | 11% |
| 17 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 77 | 11% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 690 | 10% |
| 19 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 278 | 10% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 77 | 10% |
Most common cities for literacy tutors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $28,980 |
Literacy Tutor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of literacy tutor experts
University of New England
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Indianapolis
Texas Christian University
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of South Alabama
Oklahoma State University
New York University
University of Michigan Dearborn
Northern Arizona University
Davidson College
Capital University
Cabrini University
University of Michigan
University of Louisville
King’s College
Purdue University
Franklin and Marshall College
What Literacy Tutor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Badalament: Do everything you can to get a foot in the door - substitute teacher or get hired as a paraprofessional. I know that many schools hire teachers from pools of people they know. Preserve. Getting hired as an educator can be challenging at times, so hang in there.
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD
Associate Professor of English, Humanities and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; co-chair of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Assessment CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What Literacy Tutor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: I think it is important to recognize that teachers are in high demand right now and that means that you are able to make choices that best suit you. Remember that the highest paying position may not be the one that makes you the happiest. Think about where you would like to live, how comfortable you feel in the community, what role you would be playing in the school community as well as the surrounding community and determine if that is enough/too much for you, and, most importantly, listen to your instincts if it feels like a good fit. Teaching is such an emotionally demanding job that you need to love where you are working, and you need to have a good support system. Take a look at the turnover at the school. Go and take a look at the minutes from school board meetings and PTA meetings, which will tell you what is most important to the school and the community in relation to matters of education. The second thing that I would suggest is to continually strive to gain more education, above and beyond the continuing education that you are required to take. Take advantage of all of the professional development that you can and seek out opportunities that will strengthen your teaching portfolio.
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Dr. Tracy Johnson: We need teachers who can synthesize knowledge and expertise in many areas and apply that to the specific children in front of them. Elementary teachers will need to be expert reading teachers as well as capable in technology and in STEM areas. They will also need to understand their specific students' backgrounds, cultures, and other assets to most effectively help those students succeed.
What will help Literacy Tutors increase their earning potential?
Jo Jimerson Ph.D.: No matter how good your training was, you’ll encounter challenges in your first year. Even the best novice teacher is still a novice, so seek out professional learning above what’s required and don’t be afraid to ask questions of veteran educators. Find a mentor you vibe with, and who you respect—if you can’t identify someone, ask other teachers who they consider a professional model (or if you’re in a secondary school, ask the kids!). Ask your administrators to help with class coverage from time to time so you can sit in your mentor’s classes, to continue honing your craft. Most importantly, if you feel like teaching is really hard, don’t take that as a sign that you’re not destined to be a great teacher—it’s just a challenging profession! If you keep trying then by year 2 or 3 you’ll really feel like you have the hang of teaching.
What Literacy Tutor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vicki Collet: In addition to pay increases for experience, additional education helps you climb the salary ladder. Be intentional so that your ongoing education counts not just for license renewal, but also for an additional endorsement or degree.
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Dr. Amanda Aguilar: Most of your salary increases within education will come from additional years of experience as your career progresses or moving to a district/state that pays a higher salary. However, there are some things you can do throughout your career that will add additional stipends on top of your base salary. Some of these might include additional education (masters, doctorate) and additional certifications (English as a Second Language (ESL), National Board Certification, School Counseling, reading and/or math specialist, and more). Additionally, you might decide to take on additional duties such as coaching, club sponsorship, summer school teaching, and more. The stipends for these duties will vary depending on the district.
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Nicole Amare Ph.D.: Undergraduates at our institution are encouraged to complete an internship prior to graduation to gain experience and network with others in their chosen subfield of English studies, so waiting until graduation to start thinking about their career options will probably be too late. New graduates are encouraged to use their strong reading, analytical, and writing skills to craft a resume and job application letter or email tailored to individual career positions, but again, most students should have those documents drafted as early as sophomore year and preferably already have applied their skills in one or more internship opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Dr. Sarah Donovan: A career in education begins during an accredited teacher preparation program as you cultivate a network of colleagues among peers, professors, and state and national professional organizations. Becoming a teacher is about building content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge, so accredited programs offer opportunities to observe and practice teacher in classrooms with the support of qualified, experienced mentors and faculty members.
The first year on the job, it is essential to keep open lines of communication with the colleagues and faculty with whom you've developed professional relationships so that they can offer you support and critical conversations as you navigate the new teaching context. This is also when your connections to professional networks will be vital as you will have many sites, people, and resources to draw on to support your practice.
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Dr. Diana Turk Ph.D.: This is for any field, but find mentors - plural - who can support and guide you, and find peers who can cheer and cajole you. Remembering your WHY - why are you teaching? what are you hoping to teach your students to do and be? is essential for the days that are particularly hard. And when you have one of those really hard days, remember that there's always tomorrow. Most of all, ignore anyone who tells you not to smile before Thanksgiving. Who wants a teacher who doesn't smile? You can be warm at the same time as you're firm; flexible while being structured; playful while being serious. Show the students how excited you are to be with them, and this will go a long way towards building relationships based on respect and rapport.
Christopher Burke PhD
Professor Science EducationUniversity of Michigan Dearborn
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Christopher Burke PhD: Build and tend to caring relationships with your colleagues and mentors, your students, and in the community.
Get advice and support from fellow teachers and continue to learn with and from them.
Remember why you chose teaching as a career and let that motivation guide you.
Practice empathy with your students, colleagues, and yourself.
Take your class outside whenever you can.
Know/Learn what helps you to be at your best (8 hours of sleep? Going to the gym before work? Movie night with friends).
What general advice would you give to a Literacy Tutor?
Dr. Christina O'Connor Ph.D.: In teaching, salaries are generally fixed based on years of experience and credentials. So, the best way to maximize earning potential is to get additional credentials through pursuing advanced degrees or National Board certification, depending on your state's salary schedule.
What will help Literacy Tutors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christina O'Connor Ph.D.: Don't be afraid to ask for help. Learning to teach is a process. No one comes out of school knowing everything about teaching. The best teachers are always learning from others, from the first day of their careers all the way up to the very end.
Lawrence Lenhart
Associate Chair nd Associate ProfessorNorthern Arizona University
Department of English
What skills will help Literacy Tutors earn the most?
Lawrence Lenhart: For someone working for themselves (e.g., tutor, freelance writer/editor, etc.): initiative, career self-management, innovative thinking / for someone working for a company (e.g., teacher, journalist, ): ability to leverage their strengths to support not just themselves, but entire departments; understanding/willingness to contribute to leadership's vision
What skills will help Literacy Tutors earn the most?
Cynthia Lewis Ph.D.: I would say not so many skills as demonstrated experience and having testimonials from students, the tutor has helped successfully.
What skills stand out on Literacy Tutor resumes?
Cynthia Lewis Ph.D.: Demonstrated facility with language; the ability to tap into how the tutor learned what the tutee needs to know and to use that knowledge in tutoring; the ability to interest students in both reading and writing accomplished prose; a command of the vocabulary of English grammar and an ability to explain good grammatical practices; a grasp of the elements of composition and style.
(Some of these skills would come out in a cover letter versus a resume.)
Bradley Conrad Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCapital University
School of Education
What skills stand out on Literacy Tutor resumes?
Bradley Conrad Ph.D.: First and most obviously, it's important that they have worked with kids in some capacity in the past and particularly helpful if they have previous teaching experience. Illustrating a past history in curriculum writing (e.g., lesson plans), implementing various pedagogies, and building rapport with students help an applicant stand out. Any field experiences in K-12 settings, whether traditional or non-traditional, should be included in the resume. Depending on the content area in which the student will tutor, it should be clear on the resume and/or cover letter that the student has knowledge of or experience teaching in that particular area.
What soft skills should all Literacy Tutors possess?
Bradley Conrad Ph.D.: First and foremost, teachers need to be able to build relationships with students and illustrate care. In my and my colleagues' book Lesson Planning with Purpose: Five Approaches to Curriculum Design, we offer what we call the perceptive teaching framework, which highlights eight qualities of fantastic teachers, all of which are based on the vast research literature and our own research. Four of those eight qualities might be categorized as soft skills and deal with who the teacher is as a person - open-mindedness, self-and other-awareness, caring, and authenticity. Those so-called "soft skills are essential to any great teacher.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Literacy Tutors?
Bradley Conrad Ph.D.: The four skills most prevalent in great teachers include personalizing the educational experience, teaching the whole person (not just the pupil), teaching with intention, and developing autonomy. Personalizing the educational experience includes providing multiple pathways for students to engage with the content and inviting individual, unique cultural perspectives into the learning experience. Teaching the whole person happens when teachers see students as unique individuals and support their social, emotional, and academic needs. Teaching with intention occurs when teachers make curricular and instructional choices based on their students' needs and interests while having a clear purpose behind what they are doing. Finally, developing autonomy is akin to teaching kids not to need us or, as Vygotsky referred to it, attending to zones of proximal development. In other words, this skill involves helping students think critically, learn to solve problems and become more empowered and autonomous in their own academic and personal lives.
What skills will help Literacy Tutors earn the most?
Bradley Conrad Ph.D.: I would argue the skills I highlighted in the perceptive teaching framework. Most instruments K-12 employers use aim to assess these critical skills, and generally, when creating interview questions, they often center around these concepts.
Amber Gentile
Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher EducationCabrini University
Teacher Education Program
What skills stand out on Literacy Tutor resumes?
Amber Gentile: Applicants that have experience in classrooms and/or with children are the ones that stand out. Being comfortable with and building relationships with children is pivotal to the learning process. Similarly, teaching skills improve by spending time observing other teachers and receiving feedback from them. Applicants must highlight their general communication and computer skills and understand and use technology and programs to enhance the teaching and learning process.
What soft skills should all Literacy Tutors possess?
Amber Gentile: Elementary teachers need to have the skills (communication, advocacy, interpersonal, collaboration) to build healthy relationships with their students and create communities conducive to learning (organization, creativity, patience, and problem-solving).
What skills will help Literacy Tutors earn the most?
Amber Gentile: In general, the longer you teach, the more you earn, so a commitment and love of the profession will help you earn the most. Similarly, enjoying being with children may prompt you to serve as a leader in extracurricular school activities, which can supplement a teacher's income. Leadership skills are important in the classroom and can enhance a teacher's earning potential with increased responsibilities and involvement in the school.
Laura Aull
Associate Professor and Writing Program DirectorUniversity of Michigan
English Language & Literature Department
What soft skills should all Literacy Tutors possess?
Laura Aull: - formal oral and written communication skills
- interpersonal engagement
- ability to identify what is needed and break up information well to communicate with different stakeholders (e.g., administrators, staff, students, parents, faculty, donors, etc.)
What skills will help Literacy Tutors earn the most?
Laura Aull: The best is a combination of the above skills, including strong writing skills and strong digital communication and oversight skills.
What will help Literacy Tutors increase their earning potential?
Karen Chandler Ph.D.: Interest in graduate programs seems to indicate that more students are considering returning to university to pursue higher degrees. For those in the workplace outside higher ed, an environment, whether actual or virtual, that fosters recent graduates' development would be important. This would involve clear communication and trust.
What will help Literacy Tutors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robin Field Ph.D.: To move up in certain fields does require graduate credentials, and some employers will pay for their employees' master's degrees. Many graduate programs have some or all of their programs online or in a weekend/summer format in order to accommodate workers. All employees should consider their options carefully to minimize student loan debt while also earning their next credential.
Derek Pacheco Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in EnglishPurdue University
English Department
What skills stand out on Literacy Tutor resumes?
Derek Pacheco Ph.D.: Recent studies demonstrate that employers continue to rank these sorts of humanities-friendly skills ahead of specific technical competencies (which go out of fashion much faster) when seeking job candidates. Even in highly technical fields like engineering, employers see people skills as important indicators of long-term employee potential. (So, if you want to be an engineer, you'd be smart to consider minoring in English or a foreign language as a way to differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive market!) Anders' book was written a few years ago, but, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that virtually all "white collar" careers are now tech-adjacent, increasingly characterized by Slack chats, Zoom meetings, working from home. I expect that this trend will accelerate, and along with it the importance of the people skills needed to thrive in this twenty-first-century workplace.
I also see more and more students in English double majoring or minoring in other programs as they explore their intellectual interests, professional abilities, and personal aspirations for life and work after college. This is a good thing, and true to the Liberal Arts spirit. Here at Purdue University, for example, our slimmed down English major (10 or 11 classes, depending on the track) is designed for flexibility, readily stacking with other plans of study across the college and campus. I always say that, basically, we're the department of storytelling-and storytelling is essential in any profession, whether told through language, images, or data. By the time they graduate, our students should have a story to share about themselves, their experiences, their education, their passions, their goals. A Literature major with a double minor in Management and Spanish, or a Creative Writing major with a double major in Physics (real examples), is going to have a much more interesting story to tell about themselves than otherwise.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Literacy Tutors?
M. Alison Kibler Ph.D.: Some things seem to have changed in the pandemic, but F&M's graduates in American Studies did quite well in the first pandemic season of job hunting.
What type of skills will young Literacy Tutors need?
M. Alison Kibler Ph.D.: The key for today's graduate is to come ready with relevant skills and experience. A college degree without relevant skills and experience will just not be as sufficient as in previous years to land that first, post-graduate role.
Creativity, proactivity along with strong communication skills and intellectual grit to anticipate and respond proactively to the unexpected are the competencies most prized in today's labor market. Showing that one worked through the pandemic, and even pursued additional skills and experiences relevant to a role or field, will make a graduate stand out from among their less prepared and proactive peers.
In the last class of American Studies graduates (class of 2020), I saw some students take a new path to a job. For example, one student had an internship where she worked remotely for a digital marketing firm. This then became a full-time job after graduation. Another student had worked on legal research (also remote) over the summer and in her senior seminar, and then got a job as a legal assistant in the New York DA's office. She hopes to ultimately go to law school. This is a job that other AMS alumni have secured in the past. Other students got jobs as community organizers, teachers, museum curators and entry-level business positions. These paths seemed largely the same as in the past. All built on course work and/or internships where they developed skills and deepened interest in topics. The student that went to work as a community organizer, for example, had done a senior research project on homelessness.