Nachhilfe in der Schweiz
Tutoring is trending. Students and pupils like to have difficult questions explained individually. Every year, the demand for tutoring increases, including at Tutor24. In 2016, requests for private lessons increased by more than 50% compared to the previous year.
Which subjects are especially popular? How much does a tutor charge on average? To find out, we took a closer look at the numbers on tutoring. About 20,000 data sets (tutoring requests and tutor profiles) were analyzed anonymously. The data covers all of Switzerland and across all school levels and subjects.
What is tutoring most often sought for?
Mathematics is by far the number 1 subject for tutoring. No other school subject seems to cause more problems. In 50% of all cases where tutoring is sought, mathematics is on the wish list. And this although Swiss students score the best in Europe in mathematics. The PISA study of 2016 confirmed this. Could it be that tutoring has contributed to the good result? Or is the pressure to perform so high in this subject that some students inevitably need tutoring?
German follows mathematics in second place. 24% of all tutoring requests on Tutor24 are aimed at German grammar, vocabulary, and essay writing. The tutor is often asked to help with other subjects as well. Good German skills are seen in Switzerland as the key to academic and professional success. This explains the high demand for additional lessons in this subject. German tutoring is especially in demand in the Canton of Bern (40% of all ads), almost twice as often as the national average.
French and English are right after German in third place. In 18% of all tutoring ads, they are included. Those who want to be a tutor do well to also cover foreign languages. Together with mathematics, this meets most customer wishes. English tutoring is particularly sought after in Geneva (30% of all inquiries), French lessons in Basel (22%).
Sciences become a topic from secondary level onwards. Naturally, the percentages are a bit lower because of this. Still, the tutoring requests for biology, physics, and chemistry are significant at 12% in total. It is noticeable that in the Canton of Basel, where many scientists are needed, the tutor's duties often include biology, physics, or chemistry.
Economics and Law are not among the top tutoring subjects. Accounting, bookkeeping, economics & law seem not to be problematic areas. Notably, the Canton of St.Gallen has more frequent tutoring requests for accounting and bookkeeping. Maybe the University of Economics has a decisive influence? With 5% (compared to 3% nationwide), the additional demand remains limited.
Tutoring in Zurich and Zug the most expensive
The wage range for tutoring is very wide. Depending on the age, specialization, and experience of the tutor, rates vary between 10 and 70 francs per hour. The average across all subjects and cantons is 33 francs per hour. This amount also includes the tutor's preparation time.
The average wage would be around 30 francs without cantons like Zurich or Zug. In Zurich and Zug, it is 37 francs per hour. Comparatively, tutoring also costs around 34 francs in Schaffhausen, Schwyz, and Basel-City. Tutoring is offered most affordably in the Canton of St.Gallen: There, a lesson costs an average of 28 francs.
Whether it's mathematics, biology, or German: There are virtually no wage differences between the individual subjects.
The above numbers refer to the salary expectations of tutors at Tutor24. The actual wage is always a matter of negotiation between parents/students and the tutor.
