Online tutoring has emerged as a lucrative and flexible career path, with professionals able to earn substantial incomes while accommodating personal responsibilities, according to recent analyses. The role of an online tutor ranks highest among flexible jobs suitable for parents, offering an average annual salary of £55,148 and a significant number of job openings.
CV-Library data indicates that over 55,000 job postings for online tutors were available in the 12 months leading up to July 2026. These tutors specialize in various subjects and provide remote instruction through digital platforms, often assisting students with exam preparation, such as the 11+ exam for primary school children, or providing support for those facing logistical challenges with in-person lessons.
Holly Goodwin, a single mother of two from Canterbury, Kent, has been tutoring online exclusively since 2022. While also working as a safeguarding consultant, she estimates that online tutoring contributes up to £30,000 of her income. Working 40 hours a week through the platform Owl Tutors, Goodwin teaches between 15 to 25 students weekly for one to two hours each, charging between £45 and £55 per session. She highlighted the flexibility of her work, stating, "The flexibility is amazing because I can choose when I have my lessons and if I want to go on holiday I can work from there."
Goodwin, who qualified as a teacher in 2009 and specializes in 11+, 13+, and English, advises that while qualified teachers are often preferred by parents, unqualified individuals can also find work, though it may be less consistent. Her 20-year-old son, who is not a qualified teacher, earns under £10,000 annually from online tutoring.
Finnian Fitzpatrick, 64, from South London, sees online tutoring as a significant contributor to his income, which is under £25,000. After leaving the classroom in 2020, he now tutors 10 students online weekly, charging £80 per hour. Fitzpatrick emphasizes the freedom this provides, noting, "I've been down in Cornwall and said to my family I'm disappearing for an hour and found somewhere in the hotel with decent wifi and did class from there." He specializes in 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, maths, English, and geography, and believes the remote learning experience effectively mirrors in-person instruction.
The analysis also identified virtual assistant as the second highest-paying flexible role, with an average salary of £45,132 and over 178,000 advertised positions in the past year. This role allows professionals to support businesses remotely by managing administrative tasks. Rounding out the top three, Uber drivers can expect average earnings of £40,677, with the ability to set their own hours.
Katie Emerton, a recruitment expert at CV-Library, commented on the growing opportunities for parents seeking work-life balance. "For many parents, the summer holidays can bring added financial pressure, particularly when childcare and holiday club costs quickly add up," Emerton said. "The good news is that flexible working is no longer limited to a handful of careers. There's now a growing range of roles that can be done remotely, full-time or part-time, giving parents the freedom to work around school holidays and family life without being tied to the traditional nine-to-five."