What Is the Average Salary for Foreign Teachers in China?
What is the average salary for foreign teachers in China?
Salaries for foreign teachers in China vary depending on the type of school and your qualifications. Here’s a rough idea:
- International Schools and High-End Bilingual Schools: These pay the most, 20,000-35,000 RMB (2,800-4,200 USD). With strong teaching experience and certifications, you might even earn more.
- Bilingual Schools: 18,000-28,000 RMB (2,500-3,850 USD). It is a good choice if you want good pay and reasonable requirements.
- Kindergartens: Many teachers start in kindergartens because the requirements are more flexible. Salaries range from 15,000 to 28,000 RMB (2,000-3,850 USD), so it’s a good choice for beginners.
- Training Center: The training center job is another popular option for new teachers since it requires less teaching experience and is more willing to accept new teachers. The average monthly salary for the training center ranges from 10,000 to 23,000 RMB (1,300-3,200 USD)
- Public Schools: Public schools pay less, 10,000-16,000 RMB (1,400-2,200 USD). But they often come with shorter workdays and longer holidays.
- Universities and Colleges: These are the most relaxed, 8,000-15,000 RMB (1,100-2,100 USD). While the salary is lower, the flexible schedule and lighter workload are attractive to many teachers.
High-paying jobs demand more qualifications, while lower-paying ones are often more flexible in their requirements and offer more flexibility. It depends on what suits your priorities best.
Is 15,000 RMB Enough to Cover Living Costs in China?
For new teachers, earning 15,000 RMB per month is quite common. Whether this is enough depends on the local cost of living. Many locals consider 15,000 RMB a high salary, as they often live comfortably on 10,000 RMB per month or even less.
However, living costs in China vary depending on where you are. In tier-one cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, expenses tend to be higher, but the differences in day-to-day costs between these cities aren’t huge. Here is an breakdown of the cost of living in the most iconic tier-one cities in China:
Living Costs for Teaching in China
Rent: Rental costs in China vary based on location, size, and quality. Overall, the rent of regular houses ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 RMB per month. Generally, you can rent a relatively comfortable house for around 3,000 RMB.
Food: Most schools provide free meals on campus during workdays. If you choose to ding out, local food can be affordable, with meals costing around 20 to 50 RMB. Cooking at home is even cheaper, costing about 10 to 30 RMB per meal. For a decent evening out, upscale restaurants may cost between 200 and 500 RMB for a dinner for two.
Transportation: Public transportation fares are generally affordable, with subway rides starting at approximately 2 to 5 RMB and public bus rides costing around 2 RMB.
Other expenses: Costs for clothing, groceries, and personal items depend on your lifestyle. Typically, you can buy a good-quality T-shirt online for about 150 RMB and a stylish pair of jeans for around 200 RMB.
What Additional Benefits Do Teaching Jobs in China Offer?
When considering whether to accept an offer, remember it’s not just about the salary; the benefits can be game-changers. Teaching positions in China often come with some attractive perks. Most Employers provide housing allowances, flight reimbursements, health insurance coverage, and paid holidays.
Below are the Perks and benefits of some schools:
Common salary and benefits for teaching in China
How Much Can You Save on a Teaching Salary in China?
With a monthly salary of 15,000 RMB, you can easily save 3,000 to 6,000 RMB (400 to 800 USD) per month. However, the amount you can save depends on your lifestyle and spending habits.
To be more specific, let’s take a look at the actual monthly cost of living for an English teacher living in Beijing whose after-taxed monthly salary is 14,100 RMB:
Living cost for an english teacher in Beijing
The school this teacher works at provides free meals on campus during the day, so she doesn’t spend much on food. After deducting all these expenses from the after-tax income, this data analyst can save 6,400 RMB per month.
Is Traveling Affordable on a 15,000 RMB Salary in China?
Off-season air ticket prices
YES! China is close to Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries. Therefore, you can buy plane tickets to these Southeast Asian countries at reasonable prices. In addition to traveling to the nearby countries, there are many places worth visiting in China. So, there will be lots of choices at reasonable prices for you.
For instance, if you travel to Shanghai from Beijing, you can expect to spend around 1,000 to 2,000 RMB on transportation (round trip), 500 to 1,500 RMB per night on accommodation, and approximately 200 to 800 RMB per day on food, entertainment, and local transportation. So, the total cost for a short trip to Shanghai from Beijing could be around 2,000 to 4,000 RMB, depending on your choices and preferences. So, with a salary of 15,000 RMB per month, you can easily save money for travel.
Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of what to expect in salary and living costs for teaching in China. But remember, teaching in China isn’t just about the salary. It’s about the experience. You’ll live in a new culture, grow in ways you never thought possible, and get opportunities to inspire young minds.
