The ISM's annual survey of teachers and accompanists’ fees is largest of its kind in the UK and it asks music teachers about what they have charged for individual music tuition. Over 1,200 music teachers responded to this survey, which was conducted by independent statisticians at the University of Reading between September and November 2017.
The results below summarise the findings for: private music teachers; self-employed visiting music teachers; and accompanists. The survey results are not recommendations, as competition law prevents us – and other trade associations and organisations – from recommending rates for musicians’ freelance work.
Private music teachers
In September 2017, most private teachers charged between £28 and £39.92 per hour. The mid-point of the 2017 figures was £32.
40% of respondents who work as private music teachers expected to increase the amount they charged over the 12 months to September 2018.
You can read our tips on how to set your own fees, including how to assess where you yourself fit within the overall range of fee and how to negotiate with your pupils and their parents, by visiting www.ism.org/advice/tips-for-setting-music-tuition-rates In Table 1 we summarise the results of our latest survey of fees charged by private music teachers.
Table 1
| £ per hour | £ per hour | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-point* | Central range** | |
| Central London | 40 | 35-50 |
| Greater London | 37.35 | 31-44 |
| South East | 34 | 30-40 |
| Rest of UK | 30 | 26-34 |
| Overall UK | 32 | 28-39.92 |
* Most respondents charged fees within this range. (Only 20% charged more and 20% charged less.)
** Most respondents charged fees within this range. (Only 20% charged more and 20% charged less.)
The latest survey results show that fees charged in London were significantly higher than those charged elsewhere in the UK, with fees charged in Central London being significantly higher than those charged in Greater London. Fees charged in the South East and in East Anglia were also significantly higher than those charged in the rest of the country, but among the other regions no significant differences were found.
For this reason, we are publishing the survey results broken down between Central London, Greater London, the South East and the rest of the UK as a whole.
Fee increases
35% of survey respondents reported that they had raised their private teaching rates over the previous 12 months. The majority of those who did raised them by between £1 and £4 per hour. The average increase reported was £2 per hour.
Self-employed visiting music teachers
As in previous years, the latest survey results – shown in Table 2 – indicate significant differences between fees paid in independent schools, in state-funded schools and by music services and hubs. Most self-employed teachers in schools were paid £27-£39 per hour. The mid-point was £32 per hour.
Table 2
| £ per hour | £ per hour | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-point* | Central range** | |
| London | ||
| independent schools | 40 | 37-46 |
| maintained schools | 32 | 30.40-38 |
| music services and hubs | 26.75 | 24.90-30 |
| South East | ||
| independent schools and | 38.70 | 34-42.24 |
| maintained schools | 33.50 | 27-36 |
| music services and hubs | 26 | 25.34-29.40 |
| Rest of UK | ||
| independent schools and | 33.09 | 28-37.60 |
| maintained schools | 30 | 25-32 |
| Music services and hubs | 26 | 20.40-29.60 |
* Half the respondents charged this amount or more and half charged this amount or less.
** Most respondents charged fees within this range. (Only 20% charged more and 20% charged less.)
44% of self-employed music teachers said they were working in independent schools, 43% in state-funded schools, 9% in music services and 3.5% in specialist music schools.
Increase in rates
43% of self-employed visiting music teachers saw an increase in their fees in the 2016/17 academic year, with most receiving an increase of between 90 pence and £2 per hour.
Accompanists
Survey respondents were asked to indicate the hourly rate charged for accompanying between January and September 2017 – the results for which can be seen in Table 3.
Table 3
| £ per hour | £ per hour | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-point* | Central range** | |
| Examinations: Grades 1-4 (per exam) | 30 | 20-40 |
| Examinations: Grades 5-6 (per exam) | 35 | 25-50 |
| Examinations: Grades 7-8 (per exam) | 45 | 30-60 |
| Examinations: diplomas (per exam) | 71 | 36.60-120 |
| Festivals and competitions (per hour) | 35 | 25-60 |
| Amateur choir/operatic society (per rehearsal hour) | 30 | 20-40 |
| School or college choir (per hour) | 30 | 25-40 |
| Dance lessons (per hour) | 27 | 25-35 |
| Auditions (per audition) | 38 | 30-50 27.20-53 |
* Half the respondents charged this amount or more and half charged this amount or less.
** Most respondents charged fees within this range. (Only 20% charged more and 20% charged less.)
Overall the rates appear to have increased slightly from last year.
Are you unsure if you are an employed or self-employed music teacher?
We will be presenting these results at the Music & Drama Education Expo | London on 23 February at 11.15am in the Seminar Theatre, so please do come along for a discussion with us and other Expo delegates. We will also be handing out free resources at our stand: a booklet of these results and the ISM Teachers’ Pack, the ISM Trust's helpful guide for all instrumental and vocal teachers – whether you are employed, working freelance in schools or teaching privately.
You can download the ISM Teachers’ Pack for free at www.ism.org/professional-development/advice-packs See you at the Music & Drama Education Expo!
