Ever wondered if you’re getting paid as much as your colleagues? Is it time to put up your rates? A recent survey on music teacher pay has the answers.

Setting your fees is one of the trickiest aspects of being self-employed. Knowing what to charge private students or what to accept if you’re teaching in a school can be difficult.

Thankfully the Independent Society of Musicians has done some detective work and can shed some light on the issue.

As the ISM’s Ruth McPherson explained on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast: “We do an annual survey which covers fees for music teachers, both private and peripatetic, visiting music teachers, and accompanists and examiners.

“It provides useful information for people working in the industry.”

The survey covers instrumental tutors, not singing teachers specifically, but it provides helpful insight into the state of music teacher pay.

Here’s a rundown of some of the findings from the recently published 2023 report.

Private teaching

Charges ranged from £10 to £110 per hour, while the median hourly rate was £36.

On a regional basis, teachers in London charged the most (the median hourly fee was £45). This figure was £15 higher than in Yorkshire and £18 higher than in Northern Ireland.

Part-time music teaching in schools 

Employed

As you would expect, teaching in fee-paying schools is more lucrative than working in a state-funded institution or for a music service. Median hourly rates for employed teachers were £35.99 (independent school), £31 (state school) and £28 (music service/hub).

Self-employed

For self-employed teachers working in schools, the median hourly rates were £42 (independent school), £34 (state school) and £26.90 (music service/hub).

If you’d like to learn more about ISM’s work, listen to the full interview with Ruth on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast, where she explains:

• The different levels of ISM membership.
• The business support members receive on everything from copyright and contractual issues to tax.
• The health support on offer to members.
• How the ISM can help you chase late fees.

Further listening

Get savvy business advice on setting your fees by tuning into Episode 79 of our podcast, which features pricing expert Mark Peacock.

Study

Did you know BAST Training’s singing teacher courses cover more than technique and anatomy? Our Flagship 20 Hour Course and Level 5 qualification also provide useful insight into setting up your teaching business and finding students.