

When it comes to achieving the best wage for you, consider all of these aspects and make sure you do not undersell your abilities while understanding the local factors and the price point that will ultimately give you the best wage (which isn’t necessarily the highest per hour income, but instead a balance between teaching more students at a lower price and fewer at a high price). Private and independent schools may also offer a better basic wage than state schools. Certain parts of the country will again lead to higher earnings, and specialist music colleges may offer more earning potential than typical state primary or secondary schools. The salary from schools is paid to national guidelines, so your wage will fall in line with your local authority and other public service employees. Music teachers employed by schools or colleges are typically paid per annum, and as mentioned previously this average wage is currently £27,405. This covers independent, self-employed tutors. This factors in the extra preparation and organisation required to run a workshop, and again should only be used as a rough guide. The MU recommends a workshop fee of £191 per day, and this day should include a maximum of five hours work. There are also higher fees available for group work and workshops. If you offer lessons in a popular instrument (especially singing lessons) or work in an area where there is a lack of other teachers, you could earn significantly more – especially in the south-west and south-east of the UK. For example, a teacher who wants to build up a large number of students rapidly might choose to charge £20 to £25 per hour, giving them a higher share of the market place, rather than trying to hold out for £30 to £35 as the actually wage income for the teacher is often more for teaching more lessons at £25 than fewer at £30.
#Music tutor market full#
When it comes to one-on-one tuition, from my experience of working with hundreds of teachers since 2011 anything between £25 and £30 per hour is a good level of recompense, depending on locational factors, the popularity of the instrument and whether you are a full time teacher, or a part time teacher using teaching as a supplementary income.
#Music tutor market professional#
This is based on a professional tutor who meets the level expected of the MU and is a rough guide, but is this really what music teachers can earn consistently as a self-employed individual? The current recommended hourly rate for tuition is £32. Perhaps more of an indicator is the Musicians’ Union (MU) guide to teaching rates. The current national average wage for a professional music teacher in the UK is £27,405. So how do you know how much to charge if you are a tutor? There are a few guides to give yourself a better idea. If your area is flush with other music teachers then you may have to offer a more competitive rate to keep yourself in work. Local competition can also dictate the fees you can demand from students. Tutors working in large cities would typically be able to charge higher rates than those in other parts of the UK, although this may be countered by higher living costs in cities such as London. Professional qualifications, a strong body of testimonies and a professional setup – marketing, facilities and more – will give tutors the opportunity to charge premium rates. The chances are that the longer you have taught professionally, the higher wage you can attract. Firstly, there is your own level of skill and experience in both your instrument and in teaching. In terms of calculating the average salary for a music tutor in the UK, there are a lot of variables to consider.
#Music tutor market how to#
But how do you put a price on this unique experience? What sort of salary should you expect as a professional music teacher? And what are the differences between independent tutors and those working with schools or professional bodies? It is time to delve into the world of salaries and find out how to make teaching music worth your while.

Giving your students a start in the world of music is an incredibly rewarding form of employment, and gives you the chance to shape young, eager minds into potential future stars. And when it comes to your career as a music teacher, salary is an essential part of the process.
