How Much Money Can You Make Teaching English Online?

The world of online English teaching has exploded in recent years, opening the door for thousands of people to earn a living without ever stepping into a traditional classroom. Thanks to better internet access, growing demand in countries like China, Japan, Brazil, and Spain, and a rise in remote learning options, teaching English online has become a real—and often sustainable—way to earn money from home or abroad.

For qualified teachers and first-timers alike, this is more than just a gig. It’s a flexible career path that can be molded to fit different lifestyles. Whether you’re a certified teacher looking to escape the rigid school system, someone new to education but passionate about language and culture, or simply hoping to earn extra income on the side, there’s likely a way for you to get started.

There’s no one-size-fits-all salary for online ESL teachers. How much you make depends on your teaching background, the platform or model you choose, and how much time and effort you’re willing to put in. Generally, you’ll find three core ways to earn:

• Working with an online ESL company (where the company sets your pay rate)
• Listing your services on open marketplaces (where you set your rate)
• Running your own private teaching business (full control and full responsibility)

Each option comes with different earning potential, risks, and levels of freedom. The rest of this guide breaks it down so you can choose the path that fits your goals—and get a realistic sense of how much you can actually earn teaching English online.

🌍 Income Models: How Online Teachers Get Paid

There’s more than one way to earn money teaching English online. Your income model will shape not only how much you earn but also how much freedom, responsibility, and effort your job requires. Here are the three most common models teachers use to get paid online:

A. Teaching Through ESL Companies

This is the most structured—and often the easiest—way to start. When you work for a company like Cambly, Engoo, or Open English, they handle the heavy lifting: they find students, provide lesson materials, and often even train you in their teaching style.

Rates typically range between $10–$20 per hour, with some exceptions pushing slightly above or below that range. Pay is usually fixed, meaning you’re assigned a rate after your interview or onboarding. Some companies offer bonuses for high teaching hours, attendance, or student feedback, but your core rate stays relatively stable.

Pros:

• No need to find students
• No lesson planning required
• Reliable schedule if you're consistent

Cons:

• You can’t set your own rate
• Many platforms have limited advancement or pay growth
• Some companies require a degree or are region-restricted

This model is best for new teachers who want a low-risk way to gain experience, or for anyone who prefers structure over self-promotion.

B. Open Marketplaces (e.g., Preply, italki)

Marketplaces are a step up in freedom. On platforms like Preply or italki, you create a teacher profile, set your own hourly rate, and compete for students alongside thousands of other tutors. These sites usually take a commission—sometimes 15% to 30%—but in exchange, they give you exposure to a global audience of learners.

Beginners often start at the lower end of the scale, around $10–$15/hour, then increase their rates as they gain positive reviews and regular students. Teachers with niche skills (like Business English or exam prep) can charge $25–$35/hour or more once they’ve built a reputation.

Pros:

• You control your pricing and schedule
• Opportunity to grow over time
• Can become a steady income source with loyal students

Cons:

• You’ll start with no reviews or students
• You’re responsible for prepping and delivering quality lessons
• Income can be unstable at first

This route works well for teachers who are confident communicators, comfortable marketing themselves, and ready to experiment with pricing and content.

C. Independent Online Teaching Business

Going fully independent means creating your own teaching brand. You build a website or use social media to promote your services, set your own policies and pricing, and develop your own curriculum. Many teachers in this category eventually charge $30–$70 per hour, depending on their niche, experience, and target audience.

You’ll need to handle everything: lesson creation, student acquisition, payment processing, and tech tools (like Zoom, Calendly, or payment gateways). It’s more work—but also more freedom and higher income potential.

Pros:

• Keep 100% of what you earn
• Build a loyal student base on your terms
• Potential to grow into a full-fledged online business or language brand

Cons:

• Requires time and effort to build
• No built-in traffic or support—students won’t just find you
• You need to handle taxes, invoices, and customer service

This model is ideal for experienced or entrepreneurial teachers who want to create something sustainable and long-term—or eventually scale up with courses, group classes, or digital products.

💸 What Determines Your Rate?

Not all online English teachers earn the same—and the difference often comes down to how you position yourself. Your rate isn’t just a number you pull from thin air. It’s shaped by your credentials, your experience, and what kind of value you offer students. Here’s what affects how much you can realistically charge:

A. Qualifications & Certifications

Your teaching credentials are your foundation. At a minimum, most serious platforms (and students) expect a 120-hour TEFL certificate. Without it, you’ll be limited to lower-paying or casual platforms. With it, you have access to better-paying jobs and more discerning clients.

Extra qualifications—like a CELTA, a Level 5 TEFL, or specialist add-ons for Business English, Test Prep, or Young Learners—can push your earning potential even higher. These show you’ve gone beyond the basics and can offer targeted support that delivers real results.

Why it matters: Many students are investing serious money in their education. They want someone with training, not just a fluent accent. Credentials give you credibility and allow you to justify higher rates.

B. Experience & Student Results

If you’ve taught dozens (or hundreds) of students successfully, you’ve got proof that your lessons work—and that gives you pricing power. Results matter more than hours taught. If your students consistently improve, pass exams, or reach personal goals, you can use that track record to justify premium pricing.

For new teachers, rates often start modest—somewhere between $10–$15/hour. But as you gather positive reviews, referrals, or measurable outcomes, you’ll have every reason to raise your rate.

Tip: Even informal experience (like tutoring, mentoring, or youth programs) can help establish credibility—just be sure to present it clearly.

C. Specializations That Command Higher Pay

One of the fastest ways to raise your rate is to specialize. General conversation practice is always in demand, but it also has the most competition and the lowest pay. Niche skills let you stand out and charge more.

Here are some common specializations and what they typically earn:

• Conversational English: $10–$20/hour
  Ideal for beginners or casual learners. Low prep, but also low ceiling.

• Business English: $25–$45/hour
  High-paying clients (often funded by their company) expect professionalism, structure, and real outcomes—especially in speaking and writing.

• IELTS/TOEFL/Test Prep: $30–$50/hour
  Students are goal-driven and willing to pay for teachers who can help them pass. Requires prep and strong knowledge of test format.

• Young Learners: $15–$30/hour
  Requires energy, creativity, and patience—but parents are often loyal and long-term once you build trust.

The more targeted your service, the more value you can offer—and the more you can charge for it. Just make sure your specialization matches your strengths and interests. Teaching is easier (and more rewarding) when you're actually excited about what you’re helping people achieve.

📊 Realistic Earning Scenarios

How much can you actually earn teaching English online? That depends on your experience level, the path you choose, and how much time and effort you're willing to invest. Here's a breakdown of what different types of teachers can expect:

A. Beginners with TEFL, No Experience

If you’re new to teaching but have a 120-hour TEFL certificate, your best entry point is through ESL companies or open marketplaces. These jobs provide structure, materials, and a steady flow of students—perfect for building experience.

• Expected income: $800–$1,500/month
• Hours: 15–25 per week
• Best for: Part-time teaching, travel flexibility, or supplementing another income

These roles don’t pay top dollar, but they’re a great way to learn the ropes. Once you’ve got a few months of experience and solid student reviews, you can start raising your rate or moving to better-paying platforms.

B. Intermediate Teachers with Niche Focus

Once you've built some experience, earned positive feedback, and possibly chosen a niche (like IELTS prep or Business English), you can thrive on open marketplaces like Preply, italki, or AmazingTalker. Some teachers even transition into private student referrals or run paid classes through social media or groups.

• Expected income: $1,500–$3,000/month
• Hours: 20–30 per week
• Best for: Teachers aiming to go full-time while staying location-flexible

At this stage, your schedule becomes more consistent, your students become repeat clients, and you have more control over pricing and lesson content. You’re no longer “just starting out”—you’re building a brand.

C. Independent Educators with Own Brand

Experienced teachers who run their own online teaching business—often with a website, mailing list, or YouTube/social presence—can charge premium rates and work with highly motivated clients. You’re no longer relying on a platform—you’re creating your own.

• Expected income: $3,000–$6,000+/month
• Hours: Variable (15–30+)
• Best for: Career teachers, entrepreneurs, or those seeking long-term stability

You’ll need to handle marketing, scheduling, student payments, and curriculum design—but you also keep 100% of what you earn. This model takes time to build but offers the most freedom and income potential.

🧠 Tip: Most online teachers start in Group A, work their way into B, and may eventually grow into C. The transition is gradual—but very doable with the right training, consistency, and student care.

📆 Maximizing Hours and Consistency

One of the biggest challenges for online English teachers—especially in the early stages—is keeping your schedule full. It’s not just about what you charge per hour, but how many hours you can reliably teach each week. The key to stable income is consistency, and that comes down to smart scheduling, platform management, and student retention.

Teaching Peak Hours by Region

Online ESL demand follows student availability, which means your best teaching times depend on where your students live:

• Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Thailand): Evenings and weekends (6–10 PM local time)
• Europe (Spain, France, Germany): Afternoons to early evenings
• Latin America: Mornings and late afternoons (good for teachers based in Asia)

🕒 If you’re flexible with your hours, you can line up lessons back-to-back across different regions. For example, a teacher in Europe might teach Latin American students in the morning and Asian students in the evening.

Working Across Time Zones

Many full-time online teachers spread their teaching hours across two or more time zones. This helps avoid burnout during one narrow time window and gives you flexibility to reach different student markets.

You can:

• Teach children in Asia in the evening
• Teach adults in Europe or Latin America during your daytime
• Keep weekends open for trial lessons and last-minute bookings

Strategies for Booking Consistency

Consistency means students come back week after week. Here’s how to encourage that:

• Build rapport early: Learn names, remember goals, make lessons feel personal
• Set a routine: Encourage students to book recurring times
• Follow up: Send a quick message after lessons to thank them or give feedback
• Offer packages: Some platforms let you sell discounted multi-lesson bundles

The more students you convert into regulars, the fewer “empty hours” you’ll need to fill.

Working with Multiple Platforms

Relying on just one platform is risky—algorithms change, student demand fluctuates, and even top teachers sometimes lose visibility. To safeguard your income:

• Sign up with 2–3 platforms that have slightly different audiences or policies
• Schedule blocks of availability for each, to avoid overbooking
• Track what works: where you get the most engagement, best students, or highest rates

As you grow, you might choose to specialize on one platform—or even start building your own student base independently.

🎯 Bottom Line: You don’t need to teach 40 hours a week to make a living online. You just need a smart schedule, a few loyal students, and a consistent plan that lets you stay booked, week after week.

💻 Extra Earning Channels (Advanced)

Once you've built a solid foundation as an online English teacher—steady students, good reviews, and consistent income—there’s room to grow beyond one-on-one lessons. These advanced income streams can help you earn more per hour, diversify your workload, and even scale your teaching into a small business.

Selling Lesson Bundles or Subscription Packages

Instead of charging per lesson, consider offering prepaid packages. For example:

• 5 lessons for $125 ($25 each)
• 10 lessons for $240 ($24 each)
• Monthly subscription: 8 classes/month at a fixed rate

Benefits:

• You lock in future income
• Students are more likely to commit and show up regularly
• Fewer no-shows, more predictability

Platforms like Preply, italki, and independent teaching systems all allow for bundles or subscriptions.

Group Classes: Higher Pay for Less Time

Teaching two or more students in a single class boosts your earnings significantly. Imagine:

• 1:1 lesson at $25/hour = $25
• Group of 4 students paying $15 each = $60/hour

Even if each student pays less, your total hourly rate jumps. Group classes also create a community vibe that appeals to learners—especially in Business English or conversation-based courses.

You can host group lessons through platforms like Outschool, your own Zoom account, or within your marketplace setup.

Creating and Selling Digital Products

If you’ve been designing your own lesson materials, consider turning them into sellable resources:

• Grammar worksheets
• IELTS practice packs
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Mini courses or slide decks

You can sell them through:

• Your own website
• Marketplaces like Etsy or Gumroad
• Teacher-specific platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers

Once created, these products generate passive income—earning even while you sleep.

Upselling Coaching or Mentoring

For exam prep or professional learners, consider offering higher-touch services:

• Personalized feedback sessions
• Essay or speaking test reviews
• Mock interview training
• Career-specific English coaching

These can be priced higher than standard classes ($50–$100/hour or more) because they deliver direct, outcome-focused value.

If you're serious about building a sustainable income from teaching English online, these extra channels let you work smarter—not just harder. They take more effort to set up, but once running, they give you freedom, flexibility, and financial breathing room.

🧾 Taxes and Administrative Costs

Teaching English online usually means working as an independent contractor, not an employee. That gives you freedom and flexibility—but also responsibility. You’re in charge of your own taxes, business expenses, and financial tracking, no matter where you live.

Independent Contractor Status

Most online teaching platforms treat you as a freelancer. That means:

• No taxes withheld from your pay
• No employee benefits (like health insurance or paid leave)
• You’re responsible for declaring and paying your own taxes

This applies whether you work through platforms like Preply or Cambly, or run your own independent teaching business.

Taxes by Region (Basic Overview)

Tax rules vary by country, but here’s a quick idea of how it works in some major regions:

• United States: You’ll typically file a Schedule C for self-employment income. Expect to pay federal and state income tax, plus self-employment tax (~15.3%).
• United Kingdom: Register as self-employed with HMRC. You pay income tax and National Insurance on profits over the personal allowance.
• European Union: Varies by country. You may need to register as a sole trader or freelancer and file VAT, income, or business taxes depending on where you live.
• Asia/Latin America: If you’re living abroad and earning online, local tax rules may apply—even if your clients are overseas.

Always check with a local accountant or do your research for your specific situation, especially if you’re living abroad full-time.

Deductible Expenses

One of the perks of working for yourself is that you can deduct business-related expenses to reduce your taxable income. Common deductions include:

• Laptop, headset, webcam
• Internet bills or mobile hotspot costs
• Teaching software subscriptions (Zoom, Canva, Grammarly, etc.)
• Online TEFL course fees
• Office setup (desk, chair, lighting)

Just keep detailed records and receipts—you’ll thank yourself come tax time.

Payment Platforms and Fees

How you get paid can impact your earnings due to fees and exchange rates. Common platforms include:

• PayPal: Easy and widely accepted, but often higher fees (~3–5%)
• Wise (formerly TransferWise): Great for low-cost currency transfers
• Stripe: Ideal for independent teachers selling through their own website
• Direct Bank Transfers: Reliable for higher amounts, but may take longer and carry wire fees

Check which options your teaching platform supports, and always compare fees before choosing where to withdraw funds.

While tax admin might not be the most exciting part of teaching online, getting it right from the start helps you avoid surprises, keep more of your income, and run a smoother operation overall.

🌐 Cost of Living vs. Income

One of the big appeals of teaching English online is the freedom to earn in one part of the world while living in another. This flexibility allows teachers to stretch their income further by choosing places where the cost of living is lower—but the quality of life remains high.

Why $15/hour Can Go Far

While $15 an hour might not sound impressive in cities like New York or London, it can provide a comfortable life in countries such as:

• Thailand – Monthly rent in Chiang Mai can be under $300, with street food meals for $2–$3.
• Vietnam – A modern apartment in Da Nang or Hanoi might cost $250–$400/month.
• Colombia – Cities like Medellín offer spring-like weather, coworking spaces, and affordable living.

Even on a part-time schedule, many teachers are able to cover rent, bills, and daily expenses, with money left for travel, savings, or upgrades like better housing.

Geoarbitrage: Earn Globally, Spend Locally

This strategy—known as geoarbitrage—means earning a wage based on global demand (often from North American or European students) while living in a country where that same income stretches much further. You get the benefit of:

• Lower living costs
• Better work-life balance
• More room to save or reinvest in your career

It’s not about cutting corners—it’s about making smart choices based on your goals and priorities.

Matching Income Goals to Lifestyle

Your online teaching income will go much further if you align your lifestyle with your earnings. For example:

• A beginner earning $1,200/month might thrive in Southeast Asia
• Earning $2,000–$3,000/month gives you more freedom to live in cities like Lisbon, Tbilisi, or Buenos Aires
• At $4,000+/month, you can comfortably live in Japan, South Korea, or Western Europe

That said, keep in mind things like visa costs, healthcare, and long-term residency options in your chosen country. A country may be cheap, but not always easy for foreigners to stay long-term without proper planning.

If you're smart about where you live and how you spend, teaching online can offer a lifestyle that blends purpose, comfort, and adventure—without needing a six-figure salary.

🧩 How to Start Earning More (Even if You're New)

Breaking into online English teaching doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck at the bottom of the pay scale. With a smart approach, you can move up quickly—even if you’re just starting out. Here’s how to position yourself for higher earnings from day one.

✅ Get a TEFL (With Teaching Practice If Possible)

A 120-hour TEFL certificate is the baseline for most decent-paying platforms. But if you really want to stand out, choose a course that includes a practicum or teaching practice. It gives you something tangible to talk about in interviews and shows you're not just theory—you’ve worked with real students.

This matters more than you might think. Platforms and students are more likely to book someone who sounds like they’ve taught before, even if it was just during training.

🎯 Build a Niche Early

Rather than trying to teach everyone, think about your specialty. Are you great with kids? Do you enjoy helping adults prep for job interviews or IELTS exams? Are you good at simplifying grammar?

Even as a new teacher, picking a niche helps shape your profile and attract the right students. Niches like Business English or Exam Prep tend to command higher rates—especially if you tailor your lessons around specific goals.

🎥 Make a Great Intro Video

Your profile and intro video are your storefront. Many students skip right past tutors with bland bios or low-quality videos. A strong video should:

• Show your energy and personality
• Speak clearly and at a natural pace
• Mention your qualifications and teaching style
• Smile, keep it under 90 seconds, and use good lighting

You don’t need a studio setup, just clarity, confidence, and connection.

💸 Start with Lower Rates, Then Raise Them

It’s okay to start at a modest rate while building reviews. You’re not underpricing your worth—you’re creating momentum. Once you’ve taught 5–10 students and collected positive feedback, raise your rate in small steps.

Many platforms let you adjust pricing anytime. Use that flexibility to move up as your calendar fills.

🎁 Use Trial Classes Wisely

Some platforms allow or encourage free or discounted trial classes. Don’t treat these as giveaways—treat them as auditions. Come prepared, personalize the class a little, and show your value. If the student enjoys the session, they’re far more likely to book a full package.

And if you’re teaching independently? Offer a discounted first class to build trust. It’s a small investment that often leads to long-term students.

You don’t need years of experience to earn well—you just need the right strategy. From the beginning, focus on building trust, delivering quality, and growing your skills. The better your results, the easier it becomes to charge what you’re really worth.

🔁 Summary Table: Path vs. Pay Potential

This breakdown gives a quick snapshot of your income potential depending on how you structure your online teaching journey. ESL companies are a fast way to start but offer limited growth. Marketplaces reward hustle and reviews. Running your own teaching business is the most profitable—if you’re ready to put in the work.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Teaching English online offers more than just a paycheck—it’s a chance to earn a meaningful income while living life on your terms. Whether you’re working from your apartment, a quiet café abroad, or somewhere in between, the flexibility and purpose of online teaching are hard to beat.

Your earning potential doesn’t depend on luck. It grows with strategy, skill, and consistency. The more intentional you are—whether it’s picking a niche, improving your teaching, or learning how to market yourself—the more you can earn and the more freedom you’ll gain.

Start with the essentials: a quality TEFL course, basic tech, and a mindset geared toward growth. From there, test things out, learn what works, and keep leveling up.

Whether you're looking to top up your income or turn this into a full-blown remote career, online teaching can be as financially rewarding as it is personally fulfilling—if you’re ready to build it with care.