How Much do Chinese Teachers Make?

It's unlikely that you'll make as much money teaching English in China as you would at home, but the cost of living is so much lower there that what you do make may go a long way.

The average monthly income ranges from RMB 10,000 to RMB 15,000 ($1,400 to $2,200) in both public and private sectors. Salary ranges from RMB 20,000 ($2,800) to RMB 30,000 ($4,300) monthly at select private colleges and foreign schools. The going rate for a private instructor is around RMB 150 ($22) per hour, and you can make a little more than that on the side depending on your level of expertise and experience.

RMB 6,200 - 15,300 per month for public school tuition

The average monthly salary in a public school in China is RMB 6,200 ($900) compared to the private sector's median salary of RMB 15,300 ($2,200). This may seem modest, but remember that you will also get a generous package of perks. Public school educators often work less hours per week and have more time off (often compensated) and fewer holidays compared to their private school counterparts. Teachers may save money and get a taste of traditional Chinese cuisine by taking advantage of the free lunches offered by most institutions.

Monday through Friday, your typical work week will consist of 16-25 hours spent in the classroom. The curriculum and methods of instruction in public schools are often more flexible than those at private institutions. In public schools in China, foreign English instructors often have a Chinese co-teacher to assist them out and make the transition to teaching in China easier. Class sizes at public schools, on the other hand, are often fairly big, with an average of 20-40 pupils per classroom. When it comes to the hiring procedure and acquiring work permits, public institutions provide less assistance than private ones.

Tuition at a private language school ranges from RMB 6,200 to RMB 16,000.

Private academies often pay their teachers a salary of RMB 6,200-16,000 ($900-$2,300) a month, which is much more than what public schools pay. Due to the wide variety of language schools and their varying criteria, earnings might vary widely. Teacher salaries are determined by factors such as years of experience, credentials, and educational background.

Working at a private institution, as opposed to a public school, may be beneficial if you, like many English teachers in China, lack extensive classroom experience. Help with things like applications and visas is also easier to get by at private institutions.

Private academies often have more stringent curricula and provide more guidance to teachers in terms of classroom management than public schools. Private schools often have substantially lower class sizes than public schools, anything from five to twenty pupils each class. Private academies, on the other hand, accept students of all ages, not only youngsters.

Other advantages exist as well, particularly when compared to public schools. To attract students, private schools often provide perks including free lodging, airfare (or travel reimbursement), and insurance. Private schools, like public ones, have paid breaks, albeit they are often shorter.

Monthly tuition at universities: RMB 7,000 to RMB 9,700

Foreign English instructors also have opportunities at universities. Universities have a far lower workload and fewer teaching hours than other institutions, with the weekly maximum being just 20–25 hours (plus a few hours of prep time). Professors at colleges and universities might get additional time off work, free lodging and transportation, and paid vacations. The trade-off is a smaller compensation, usually between RMB 7,000 and 9,700 ($1,000 and $1,400) monthly, but more free time to explore China or find other employment.

The competition for academic jobs at public universities is somewhat higher than at private institutions because of the greater prestige associated with public universities.

Monthly tuition for international schools in China is between RMB 11,800 and RMB 29,900.

ESL instructors in China may expect monthly earnings between RMB 11,800 (about $1,700) and RMB 29,900 (about $4,300), with the higher amounts going to those working in international schools. Competition for teaching positions at foreign schools is fierce because of the greater pay. Because of the high compensation they get, teachers at foreign schools usually work 40-hour weeks with limited perks.

The curriculum and teaching style of international schools are comparable to those of the ordinary American school since its target demographic consists of the children of expatriates and Chinese students hoping to study abroad. An English teacher in an overseas school may have responsibilities outside language instruction, but otherwise mirror those of their domestic counterparts. When applying to foreign schools, you will normally need a teaching certificate from your home country in order to qualify as a teacher, and this need increases in complexity as the number of topics you want to teach increases.