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How Much Money Can You Make Teaching On Outschool

outschool review teacher jade

I get this question daily in my DMs, PMs, and emails. It is not a one size fits all answer. I make over 10K a month teaching online, both on Outschool and on my personal site.

March 2019 Earnings. An increase from 15 hours a week to 20.

My highest earning month was in March.

Pre-COVID I was making three times less, but I was also working less. I typically teach 10-15 live hours. Live hours means the classes are held over Zoom. I also provide FLEX courses that are pre-recorded. They are exactly like my live classes but the students are able to watch the recording at a time that is convenient to them.

Outschool advertises small class sizes but those sizes are dependent on the ages of the learners. Teachers also need to factor in the type of class being offered (lecture, discussion-based, roleplaying, interactive, etc). The average, or suggested price for courses is $12/hour. However, certain subjects are going to exceed that cost. In a physical classroom, one won’t likely find private tutoring, language immersion, science, and/or high-level math offered at $12/hour. This is one of the reasons I am able to make over $10k/month.

When I first started offering my courses on Outschool, I was offering courses a little above $12/hour for a four-week course that met for 40 minutes. However, I teach writing courses and I had to factor in the amount of work I do outside of class (fielding messages, answering questions in regards to assignments, providing feedback, completing assessments, etc). As my class demand increased, so did my costs.

Prior to Outschool implementing small class sizes, a limit was not set. While I preferred 15 learners, which was a class size that worked for my lecture-based classes, I ended up with 18-21 learners in my classes which I decided wasn’t the greatest for classroom management and student interactions. Keeping my class size as 15 is my “sweet spot” for some of my classes. Some of the more interactive classes I limit to 6-9 learners. I have to plan class size, class time, and the activities and interaction.

Math for Earning More on Outschool

Let’s say you’re teaching a class for 6 to 8-year-olds with a maximum of 6 students and charging $12/hr.
6 (Students) x $12 = $72/hour
If you were to teach this class six times/day that would average $432. Now, let’s say you are teaching this class six times/day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you are making $1296/week. A little more math, this would be $5184/mo working 18 hours/week.

You could even offer this same class as a FLEX version class. Of course, you are spending time developing the material but once it has been completed, you’re teaching the same class every time with adjustments and improvements as needed.

For my particular classes, well, my most popular course, I charge $18/forty minute session. This brings in a little less than $200/session. I offer this course as a FLEX class as well. Keep in mind, Outschool takes 30% (and then there are taxes that need to be put aside).

In my writing course, I have 15 learners maximum. The class meets four times/week for 40 minutes. I charge $72 for the entire session.
$72 (cost) x .30 (Outschool payment) = 21.6
$72 (cost) – $21.60 (Outschool’s payment) = $50.4 (my take)
$50.4 x 15 (students) = $756
$756/4 (number of meetings) = $189

If I offer this course ten times/month (seven live and seven FLEX), I’m able to earn $10,584. I’d only teach about 5 hours live. This doesn’t account for the hours I spend working on feedback.
I have other courses that meet for 30 minutes and I only charge $6 and my class maximum is six learners. When I offer this class I am making $25.20/session.

How to Earn Thousands on Outschool

  • Teach what you’re passionate about
  • Provide multiple class days and times
  • Offer classes around breakfast, lunch, and dinnertime
  • Remember, Outschool has students all over the world, consider early and late times
  • Practice your classes
  • Make changes to your classes as needed
  • Take criticism and feedback to improve your classes
  • Be original
  • Price your classes to match your worth
  • You do not have to undervalue your product (which is the skill you are teaching)
  • Don’t over-schedule
  • You don’t want to burn out
  • Teach a variety of classes
  • See what sticks
  • Ask for feedback from parents and students
  • They may have some great ideas
  • Offer a variety of class types
  • One time, multi-way, camps, on-going, and flex

Be Patient

beginners guide to teaching onlineIn my first month with Outschool, I earned $34. In my second month, I made a little over $100. It will take time to build a client base but once you do, you’ll have returning learners, reviews, and parents that tell their friends about your classes.

Even if you only have one student, teach the class. You’ll get to practice.

While there is concern about the need for virtual classes once schools open back up, I started earning $10K/month by January 2018, way before COVID!

It is possible to earn a living wage. If you’re only doing this for the money, you may not be successful, but it doesn’t mean you need to sell yourself short by undercharging for your services.

If you’re still unsure, get a mentor or an accountability buddy.

Don’t be scared to ask questions.

16 thoughts on “How Much Money Can You Make Teaching On Outschool

  1. Latonya says:

    Great advice, Jade! The breakdown that you’re offering is beneficial. I remember my first month on Outschool; I earned $200. I taught one class that month, and I was elated. I don’t make as much as you do, but I do agree that consistency and passion can get teachers to a level of earning more than they expected.

  2. Juin says:

    I remember my first class. I was so nervous and trying to be soooo professional. Now, I am still professional but I am more comfortable because I am being myself. So I talk fast, I talk with my hands and I feel more real and authentic. I just remember the point is to support the child and not make it harder than it is already.

  3. Dr. Shantelle says:

    Love how you calculated the math and potential earnings. This is one of the biggest challenges faced by teachers. Thank you for being transparent and for sharing your personal experiences.

  4. Lawren P says:

    I am so happy to have found your blog! I am getting ready to list my first class..suggestions on what to make sure I have ready to go??

  5. Celeste Cobb says:

    Hi Jade, thank you so much for this blog and information. How did you gain your clientele? Did you do a lot of marketing on the side to help build clients?

    • Jade Weatherington says:

      Hi Celeste,
      I didn’t do any marketing. I found that word of mouth worked best. I did start a FB page about a year after starting with Outschool, but I already had an email list from previous students I had worked with throughout the years. I would just keep them updated about new class offerings and they would spread the word.

  6. Ni Lundan says:

    Jade, Thaannnk You!! Everything you covered I was thinking. I have been teaching models and actors for many years now and just want to leverage and expand knowledge to the younger generation. The financials was the decision maker here and you brought light to all of it. I love when you said don’t burn out, because I am a living witness that you most definitely CAN! that was key. This blog is golden, thank you so kindly.

  7. Antonio M. says:

    Outschool encourages teachers and students to make connections and foster a true love of learning. And Outschool does its best to make the learning environment safe for everyone involved. The only real downside I can see about teaching with Outschool is the service fee Outschool charges.

    • Jade Weatherington says:

      While there is a percentage taken from courses, it’s neccassary as they host the platform to offer classes and provide marketing/advertising. There is an option to build one’s own platform, but those costs can be higher than the (current) 30% Outschool charges. Most online teaching platforms have a monthly or annual fee or a percentage.

  8. gueri says:

    Para melhor visão olho para as crianças como sinonimo de esperança por que nelas tem o brilho do futuro como seu reflexo, adoro lecionar Matemática, Desenho Artísticos e técnico, informática e promover o dialogo com todos meus alunos!

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