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ESL Daily: Asian English Language School Salary Comparison
Asian English Language School Salary Comparison
Coming to Asia to teach English has a lot to offer. Each country has different Salary and benefits. Keep in mind that the benefits and salary varies depending on what city you are in. Some of the major Countries are as follows (money is in US dollars).
South Korea: Average Salary: $1900 - $2500, Housing: included, Health Care: 50/50 Airfare: included.
Thailand: Average Salary: $400 – $700, Housing: Sometimes, Health Care: Usually Not, Airfare: Usually Not.
Japan: Average Salary: $2000 - $3000 Housing: Sometimes, Health Care: Usually, Airfare: Sometimes or partial.
China: Average Salary: $400 – $700, Housing: Included, Health Care: Included, Airfare: Partial.
Vietnam: Average Salary: $800 up, Housing: Most include, Health Care: Partial, Airfare: Sometimes or Partial.
Taiwan: Average Salary: $1500 - $2000 Housing: Most places, Health Care: Most, Airfare: Partial or in full.
Hong Kong: Average Salary: $1200 - $1700, Housing: Included, Health Care: Sometimes, Airfare: Partial.
Laos: Average Salary: $200 - $400, Housing: No, Health Care: No, Airfare: No
There are many other Asian countries offering ESL jobs such as Malaysia and Cambodia. Each country has it’s own pay rate. Some countries have higher expectations of it’s teachers than others, be aware of the criteria. You can find jobs and their criteria through websites like eslcafe.com or ajarn.com. Many contracts now require you to send a copy of your university degree (if not the original) and other documents to process your work visa. Visa work can take up to or more than a month, it is best to start your search early.
That is really good for pay in China!!! May I ask what kind of job do you have? Private school, international school, business training...? -thanks Reply to this
7/18/2008f wrote:
You are NOT making 1900 US dollars equiv. a month in S. China unless your working for a British venture organization like study group or a Masters to Phd degree University teacher in business or some other highly skilled professional academics. You are not making 1900 US dollars teaching ESL . Why do you makes such false claims? frank Reply to this
Thanks for the info.Are there many places that you are aware of that pays that kind of money?Looking at most of the job forums, the highest paying job in China that I have come across pays under a grand USD.Did you find the job while you were in China or over the internet?
6/15/2008
Mickie G wrote:
I found the job while in China. Anything you find over the internet usually pays much less! Now, you must be careful, however, as it is difficult to get hired in China. Some companies say you must apply from your home country to get the working visa! Reply to this
6/15/2008
ESL Daily wrote:
Thanks for the heads up.
6/1/2008
gwolford wrote:
I subscribe to and have my vita posted on every ESL job board I could find for the past 18 months.U$1900 in China is clearly out of the norm. 500-750 is the range for a PhD and some of that has to be wrangeled. They are famous for saying later "Oh, we did mean that, we meant this."
I would like to know where the wife and I can settle in for a long term stay. We are both long term professional American teachers and our combined retirement is not going to afford a living in the US. Reply to this
I have heard a few situations where people have found jobs
paying over 1500 USD.However, most of
those teachers were hired directly from a head school or have experience in China.They all were at international schools, not
the local Chinese schools.Do a Google
search for international schools and try to send out some emails.Don’t push your PhD too much, sometimes that
is not looked highly on.
It is hard to say which country is the best, but in terms of
money vs living expenses, Korea
is the best.However, Saudi
Arabia is also very good too, but you are isolated.Japan
pays well, but you spend all your money.I would try to get a university job that pays well in either Japan,
Thailand, Korea,
or Taiwan
because of you PhD that is.But that is
just in my opinion.
6/15/2008
Roy Little wrote:
ESL teachers in Vietnam earn between $12USD for lower end schools without qualifications to an average of $16-$18USD per hour for qualified teachers (degeree and teaching certificate). It is not difficult to earn $1000 to $1500 per month but there is usually no health insurance or other benefits. Some schools try to recruit full-time teachers at relatively low monthly salaries because teachers out of country do not know the market - then you are stuck with a 1 year contract which if you don't fulfill you lose any other benefits promised. Any full-time position in Vietnam should pay a minimum of $1500 to $1800USD per month. Reply to this
6/15/2008
ESL Daily wrote:
Great comment. Do you work in Vietnam now? I am wondering if you could help me out with some projects in the future?
6/15/2008
Mickie G wrote:
Thanks for the info! Yes, it seems the uninformed really pay. The same happens in China, where some recruiters take up to half of a teacher's yearly pay. Some people even unsuspectingly volunteer for paid positions and the recruiter gets everything! Reply to this
7/1/2008
Holly wrote:
I think a good follow-up article to this would be to compare pay rate to cost of living. I teach in Taiwan and as far as I have heard my "net profit" if you will is much better than many of the Asian countries. I would be interested to see if I am correct
7/1/2008
ESL Daily wrote:
Great idea!! Quite the challenge to do so however. I will put it on
my great list of articles and see what I can do in the future (time is
needed on this one). Thanks for the great comment!!
7/2/2008
Holly wrote:
Thank you, and you're welcome haha. Ill keep an eye out for the article Reply to this
7/18/2008frank wrote:
You do not need lots of money to live in China a normal life, unless your one of those materialistic people who need material things, and constant new possessions to make you temporarily happy. IF you get a free apartment for teaching with internet, and fully furnished, as most all jobs give now , accept some private part-time positions,. then you can live very well in China on 5000 rmb or less a month. This is of course, unless your trying to pay off debt you own or other bills in your home country, THEN FORGET trying to teach in China and use that salary to off set your debt in your home land. First settle you debt problems at home, then go to China with a clear mind and slate.l You will find you can live very well on 5000 rmb or less if your not some bar hopper, or a womanizer in teachers clothing . Frank Reply to this
2/14/2010Dani wrote:
Thanks for sharing! good article. The figures are just alittle bit infliated in Hong Kong according to my experience.Any way, for those interested in real Salary Comparison I recommend SalaryExplorer.com . Hope it helps. Reply to this
I presently make $1900 a month in South China after 4 years in country. I guess I'm doing OK!
Reply to this
Hi
That is really good for pay in China!!! May I ask what kind of job do you have? Private school, international school, business training...?
-thanks
Reply to this
You are NOT making 1900 US dollars equiv. a month in S. China unless your working for a British venture organization like study group or a Masters to Phd degree University teacher in business or some other highly skilled professional academics. You are not making 1900 US dollars teaching ESL . Why do you makes such false claims?
frank
Reply to this
I teach adults in a private school in Shenzhen.
Reply to this
Thanks for the info. Are there many places that you are aware of that pays that kind of money? Looking at most of the job forums, the highest paying job inChina China
Reply to this
I found the job while in China. Anything you find over the internet usually pays much less! Now, you must be careful, however, as it is difficult to get hired in China. Some companies say you must apply from your home country to get the working visa!
Reply to this
Thanks for the heads up.
Reply to this
I subscribe to and have my vita posted on every ESL job board I could find for the past 18 months.U$1900 in China is clearly out of the norm. 500-750 is the range for a PhD and some of that has to be wrangeled. They are famous for saying later "Oh, we did mean that, we meant this."
I would like to know where the wife and I can settle in for a long term stay. We are both long term professional American teachers and our combined retirement is not going to afford a living in the US.
Reply to this
I have heard a few situations where people have found jobs paying over 1500 USD. However, most of those teachers were hired directly from a head school or have experience inChina
http://blog.esldaily.org/2008/02/12/am-i-qualified-to-teach-english.aspx
It is hard to say which country is the best, but in terms of money vs living expenses,Korea Saudi
Arabia Japan Japan Thailand Korea Taiwan
Thanks for the post.
Reply to this
ESL teachers in Vietnam earn between $12USD for lower end schools without qualifications to an average of $16-$18USD per hour for qualified teachers (degeree and teaching certificate). It is not difficult to earn $1000 to $1500 per month but there is usually no health insurance or other benefits. Some schools try to recruit full-time teachers at relatively low monthly salaries because teachers out of country do not know the market - then you are stuck with a 1 year contract which if you don't fulfill you lose any other benefits promised. Any full-time position in Vietnam should pay a minimum of $1500 to $1800USD per month.
Reply to this
Great comment. Do you work in Vietnam now? I am wondering if you could help me out with some projects in the future?
Reply to this
Thanks for the info! Yes, it seems the uninformed really pay. The same happens in China, where some recruiters take up to half of a teacher's yearly pay. Some people even unsuspectingly volunteer for paid positions and the recruiter gets everything!
Reply to this
I think a good follow-up article to this would be to compare pay rate to cost of living. I teach in Taiwan and as far as I have heard my "net profit" if you will is much better than many of the Asian countries. I would be interested to see if I am correct
Holly
Reply to this
Great idea!! Quite the challenge to do so however. I will put it on my great list of articles and see what I can do in the future (time is needed on this one). Thanks for the great comment!!
Reply to this
Thank you, and you're welcome haha. Ill keep an eye out for the article
Reply to this
You do not need lots of money to live in China a normal life, unless your one of those materialistic people who need material things, and constant new possessions to make you temporarily happy. IF you get a free apartment for teaching with internet, and fully furnished, as most all jobs give now , accept some private part-time positions,. then you can live very well in China on 5000 rmb or less a month. This is of course, unless your trying to pay off debt you own or other bills in your home country, THEN FORGET trying to teach in China and use that salary to off set your debt in your home land. First settle you debt problems at home, then go to China with a clear mind and slate.l You will find you can live very well on 5000 rmb or less if your not some bar hopper, or a womanizer in teachers clothing .
Frank
Reply to this
How about if I'm a sheep in woman's clothing?
Reply to this
Thanks for sharing! good article. The figures are just alittle bit infliated in Hong Kong according to my experience.Any way, for those interested in real Salary Comparison I recommend SalaryExplorer.com . Hope it helps.
Reply to this