To ask how much a violin teacher can earn?

[Wantt]

Inspired by a couple of other threads- I’m looking to change career, I play the violin ok. Can I earn a reasonable wage as a violin teacher? Not sure what they earn?

Like any self employed person, it depends on lots of things.

How good you are (being "able to play ok might not be a good start)
How good your marketing is
How good your business sense is (understanding your costs, the time spent when you are traveling, or, if people come to you, you heating costs, then factoring in time for marketing / admin / filing tax returns/ etc) etc)
How good your tolerance is for children whose parents are forcing them to be there, who really don't want to be there
Where you are in the country
How many hours you are prepared to work - including, being available to work at inconvenient times (the period between school and bedtime, then all day at weekends)
What you consider to be 'a reasonable wage'

Probably lots of other things

Also depends on your level of qualification in the line of work you’re in (music teaching). Some parents/adult learners might prefer a music teacher to have a proper teaching qualification.

Your level of experience is also really important, as are your specialist skills- e.g. are you an experienced performer and can you teach performance-related skills to your students?

(Of course all music teachers need to have performance experience and to teach this to their pupils, but some might have lots of performing experience that they can use to stand out as a teacher specialising in this area).

Can you teach music theory to your students? Can you teach them composition? Have you played in lots of orchestras/chamber music grips, and can you pass onto your pupils the things you have learned from these experiences?

Can you prepare your students for music exams and, if so, which exam board would you use e.g. ABRSM, Guildhall? If they want to explore beyond the exam syllabus, can you teach them pieces beyond it - or different styles of music (e.g. folk music, jazz/pop - like if they want to play in a jazz violin or Clean Bandit type style?

Have a look at music teaching sites to see how much music teachers in your area earn (First Tutors is good, as it has a section for music tuition)

Thanks everyone- that’s really helpful. I’ve had a look online, average hourly rate in my area is £30, I guess that’s a good starting point. I don’t have a teaching certificate so I’m not sure I’d be able to work in schools, maybe just privately. I have a music degree and a DipABRSM and am reasonably experienced in performance, although it was a very long time ago!

I can use ABRSM for exams but am not familiar with alternative styles such as folk and jazz, will this matter?

There are quite a few options.
You could start off joining a local ‘music school’ in your area - eg Saturdays and a couple of evenings - lots of false self-employment and exploitation in this sector but a private music school is good for getting some teaching experience under your belt - some also offer online lessons - typical pay around £25 an hour gross. Try and find out about them before you join.

With a bit of experience you could go and work in a school - it doesn’t matter that you don’t have a teaching qualification - lots of music tutors in schools don’t have it - either ‘self-employed’, or on an hourly rate - in state schools you are likely to find yourself somewhere on the unqualified teacher pay scale (google it) expressed as an hourly rate.

With a bit of experience you could also join your local music service - weekdays visiting schools and potentially Saturday mornings. Similar hourly rate to schools.

Private teaching, in your own home - hourly rate depends where you are. Don’t start too low as you will be stuck with a low hourly rate for ages.

There is lots of poor employment practice and exploitation in this sector so think about joining the ISM (google them) or maybe the MU. Check them out also for safeguarding (DBS etc), contract documention, debt recovery and your insurance requirements - also good for getting into a community of fellow teachers in your situation and understanding the market.

Your qualifications are fine. Good luck!

I should say, most music teachers do a combination of all of the above, depending how many working hours they have available. There is also work in independent schools, but only once you have some experience under your belt.