Getting Paid as a Music Teacher: A Complete UK Guide

Whether you teach piano, guitar, violin, or voice, getting paid reliably is essential to running a sustainable music teaching practice. This guide covers what UK music teachers are charging, how to handle payments, and what to do when clients pay late.

What Are Music Teachers Charging in the UK?

According to the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) 2024 annual survey of teaching, examining and accompanying rates, the median hourly rate for private music teachers is £37 for both face-to-face and online teaching.

Rates vary by setting and employment type:

By Teaching Setting

By Employment Type

Musicians' Union Recommended Minimums

The Musicians' Union (MU) publishes annual recommended minimum rates:

Note: These are recommended minimums, not mandatory rates. Check the MU website for current figures.

By Instrument

While the ISM survey doesn't break down by instrument, market research suggests these typical ranges:

Rates based on aggregated listings from Superprof, First Tutors, and MusicTeachers.co.uk. Actual rates vary by location, experience, and qualifications.

The Late Payment Problem for Music Teachers

Music teachers face unique payment challenges:

• Term-time teaching means irregular income
• Young students means parents handle payment (adding a layer of complexity)
• Long-term relationships make chasing payment awkward

According to a GoCardless/FSB survey published in March 2025:

• 52% of UK small businesses forfeit late payments up to 10 times per year to avoid chasing them
• 45% are experiencing more late payments than 12 months ago
• 24% receive payments up to 60 days late

For music teachers earning £37/hour with 20 weekly students, even one missed lesson payment per student per term represents significant lost income.

Payment Structures That Work

Pay-As-You-Go

How it works: Payment due within 7 days of each lesson

Pros:

• Flexible for students
• Lower commitment barrier
• Easy to understand

Cons:

• Most prone to late/missed payments
• Unpredictable income
• More admin tracking individual payments

Best for: New students on trial, irregular schedules

Monthly in Advance

How it works: Fixed monthly fee covers all lessons that month

Pros:

• Predictable income
• One payment to track per student
• Missed lessons covered (within policy)

Cons:

• Requires refund policy for teacher cancellations
• Less flexible for students

Best for: Regular weekly students, established relationships

Termly in Advance

How it works: Full term paid upfront

Pros:

• Most predictable cash flow
• Minimal payment admin
• Committed students

Cons:

• High upfront cost for parents
• Complex refund situations
• Some families can't afford lump sum

Best for: Exam preparation, serious students, school-based teaching

Payment Methods for Music Teachers

Bank Transfer (BACS)

Pros:

• No fees
• Familiar to most parents
• Direct to your account

Cons:

• No automatic tracking
• Easy for parents to forget
• Manual reconciliation required

Cash

Pros:

• Immediate
• No fees
• Simple

Cons:

• No paper trail (tax record issues)
• Counting disputes possible
• Security concerns with larger amounts

Card Payments (Payment Link)

Pros:

• Professional appearance
• Instant confirmation
• Automatic records
• Parents can pay from phone

Cons:

• Processing fees (typically 1.5-3%)

Direct Debit

Pros:

• Automatic collection
• Predictable timing
• No chasing required

Cons:

• Setup required
• Monthly commitment may not suit all

Recommendation: Card payments via a payment link offer the best balance of professionalism, tracking, and convenience. The small processing fee is offset by fewer missed payments and less admin time.

Setting Clear Payment Terms

Communicate expectations from the first enquiry:

In your welcome information:

"Lessons are £[rate] per [30/45/60] minutes. Payment is due [weekly/monthly/termly] by [method]. I'll send a reminder if payment hasn't been received by [date]."

Include your policies on:

• Notice period for cancellations (e.g., 24 hours)
• Missed lesson policy (charged or rescheduled?)
• Holiday periods and payment during breaks
• Trial lesson terms

Having this in writing removes awkwardness—both parties agreed to the terms.

Handling Late Payments Professionally

Even with clear terms, life happens. Here's how to chase professionally:

Day 1-3 after due date:

"Hi [Name], just a quick reminder that [Student's] lesson payment for [date/period] is due. Let me know if you'd like me to resend the payment details."

Day 7-10:

"Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on the outstanding payment for [Student's] lessons. Would you be able to settle this in the next few days? Happy to discuss if there's any issue."

Day 14+:

"Hi [Name], I'm following up on the balance of £[amount] for [Student's] lessons. I'll need to receive this before our next scheduled lesson. Please let me know how you'd like to proceed."

Key principles:

• Assume good intentions (they probably forgot, not avoided)
• Be direct but not confrontational
• State consequences clearly when needed
• Keep written records of all communications

Automating Payment Reminders

Tracking payments across 15-25 students, sending individual reminders, and following up manually takes hours each month—time you could spend teaching or practising.

Payment reminder tools can:

• Track who has paid and who hasn't
• Send automatic reminders before and after due dates
• Let parents pay via a professional link
• Give you a clear overview of your income

This removes the emotional burden while keeping your studio running smoothly.

Tax Considerations for Music Teachers

As a self-employed music teacher, you're responsible for:

• Registering as self-employed with HMRC if you earn over £1,000/year
• Keeping records of all income and allowable expenses (instrument maintenance, music, travel, etc.)
• Setting aside money for tax (typically 25-30% of earnings)
• Filing Self Assessment by 31 January each year

Allowable expenses may include:

• Music and teaching materials
• Instrument maintenance and strings
• Travel to students' homes
• Professional subscriptions (ISM, MU)
• Home studio costs (proportionate)
• Insurance

Note: Tax rules change. Always check the HMRC website for current guidance, or consult an accountant.

Professional Bodies for Music Teachers

Consider joining:

Independent Society of Musicians (ISM)

• Professional body for musicians
• Legal and tax advice
• Insurance options
• Annual fees survey data

Musicians' Union (MU)

• Trade union representation
• Minimum rate recommendations
• Contract advice
• Professional development

Both offer valuable support for self-employed music teachers.

Summary: Getting Paid as a Music Teacher

1. Set appropriate rates based on your qualifications, experience, and location (UK median: £37/hour as of ISM 2024 Survey)
2. Choose a payment structure that works for your teaching style (monthly or termly reduces admin)
3. Use professional payment methods that provide tracking and records
4. Communicate terms clearly from the start—in writing
5. Follow up professionally on late payments—don't let awkwardness cost you income
6. Consider automation to reduce admin time

Your time is valuable. Spend it making music, not chasing payments.

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Sources & Last Updated

This article was last updated on 21 January 2025. Rates and statistics are subject to change.