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Teaching English Abroad Salaries: Top 8 Countries with the Highest Demand
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Wondering how much can you make teaching English abroad?
Well, the teach English abroad salary can vary a lot depending on where you teach.
As common sense, every area of the world has their own pay rate, some countries offer higher paying jobs than others.
Apart from that, you also want to dig into the cost of living in each country, whether housing is provided in your teaching package, whether or not you can save money, in order to truly understand “how much you actually get paid teaching abroad”.
It is possible for some teachers to earn enough between their pay, free rent, and other benefits that they can save hundreds of dollars each month depending on where they are teaching.
So, where should you look for the teaching opportunities?
Teaching English abroad right now is on a massive popularity streak and is in high demand. It is even listed as the number one option for getting paid to travel on Business Insider! Here are the top countries with high demand for English teachers from abroad, we’ve also listed the salary range for each country.
1. Salary for Teaching English in China (USD $1,500 – $2,850)
- Average salary per month: USD $1,500 – $2,850
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $750 – $1,000
- Housing is provided sometimes
- Can save USD $500 ~ $1500 per month
China is now one of the leading countries that offer teaching jobs, with so much demand for English language teachers, the openings are massive, and you can earn well just by teaching. Combining the low cost of living, teaching job in China is considered one of the highest paid teaching jobs. Depending on the city and school types, ESL teachers can make up to $3,000 per month.
As a country, China offers you different settings for life, from cities to quiet towns. The country is rich with heritage and culture, there is so much to explore and learn when you live in China. The country’s governments are sponsoring several programs to introduce more teachers from abroad, a huge opportunity indeed.
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2. Salary for Teaching English in Japan (USD $1,700 – $3,500)
- Average salary per month: USD $1,700 – $3,500
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $1,000 ~ $2,000
- Housing is provided sometimes
- Can save USD $500 ~ $800 per month
In 2018 Japan started a program that allows foreign teachers to come in and train for teaching jobs, with even more programs planned and sponsored, it has become a top destination for people who what to teach abroad. The salary teaching in Japan is also quite decent (up to $3,500) and Japan considered one of the highest paying countries across all industries.
Japan is a place bubbling with life, from its very busy cities to very innovative business areas and schools. It bundles up a whole new experience for anyone. It is a great place to live.
3. Salary for Teaching English in South Korea (USD $1,800~$3,500)
- Average salary per month: USD $1,800~$3,500
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $800 ~ $1,500
- Housing is provided
- Can save USD $1,000 ~ $1500 per month
South Korea is countries that have taken development seriously in recent times and there has been so much demand for foreign teachers, mostly for the English language. You’ll find that language schools in this country really are in need of foreign English teachers.
This country is one of those places you should consider if you are in need of a total brand new start. It is a peaceful and quiet country with a very rich culture and homely people.
Comparing South Korea and China >>
Japan, South Korea and China, Which country to teach?>>
4. Salary for Teaching English in United Arab Emirates (USD $2,000-$5,000)
- Average salary per month: USD $2,000-$5,000
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $1,000 ~ $1,500
- Housing is provided
- Can save USD $800 ~ $1,000 per month
The UAE is one of the top places you should want to teach abroad, they have lots of opportunities for teachers and are also open to teachers for a whole range of other subjects. Countries that have opportunities for other subjects (besides English) are actually few. The huge earning potential (up to $5,000) also makes it one of the highest paying jobs for ESL teachers teaching overseas.
5. Salary for Teaching English in Czech Republic (USD $1,000 – $1,500)
- Average salary per month: USD $1,000 – $1,500 per month
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $800 – $1,200
- Housing is provided sometimes
- Can save USD $300 ~ $500 per month
This is a great place to teach, with so many options of subjects available. The Czech Republic is a great country with so much life and fun-filled activities. There are lots of available teaching jobs in this country for foreigners.
6. Salary for Teaching English in Cambodia (USD $700 – $1,000)
- Average salary per month: USD $700 – $1,000
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $300 ~ $500
- Housing is not provided
- Can save USD$200 ~ $300 per month
Cambodia offers teaching opportunities for different subjects. Colombia is rich in cultural heritage and is a place bubbling with diversity; you would learn a lot as you mingle and get to know people.
7. Salary for Teaching English in Vietnam (USD $1,000 – $1,500)
- Average salary per month: USD $1,000 – $1,500
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $500 ~ $900
- Housing is provided sometimes
- Can save USD $500 ~ $600 per month
This is a great country to consider teaching in; they are rich in history and have in recent times opened more doors for growth and diversity, making the demand for teaching jobs on the increase.
8. Salary for Teaching English in Thailand (USD $900 – $1,500)
- Average salary per month: USD $900 – $1,500
- Cost of living for a single person: USD $500 ~ $800
- Housing is provided sometimes
- Can save USD $500 ~ $700 per month
Opportunities for teaching jobs have exceptionally grown in Thailand in recent times and have become one of the top countries that offer to teach jobs to foreigners. Thailand is more than that vacation destination when you think of it.
Now you can do more than just work there, you can actually have a beautiful life there with so much to do, coupled with its very welcoming people. Thailand offers a variety of living to explore.
An Infographics for ESL Teacher Salaries in the top 8 Countries
Which Countries Pay The Most For English Teachers?
To briefly summarise, UAE, China, Japan, South Korea are among the counties that offer the highest paying teaching jobs. Salaries for teachers in these countries allow them to lead a comfortable lifestyle. In most cases, teachers only need to pay for their food and necessities with apartment provided or subsidized, which means that they can save the remainder of what they earn for travelling, or savings.
Teachers in Thailand and Vietnam can also enjoy a good lifestyle but they might not be able to save money with the salaries they get paid.
It is slightly different over in Cambodia, where teachers earn up to $1,000 per month, but those teachers need to pay their own rent and tend to break even once they have purchased what they need each month.
Highest Demand and Paid Teaching Jobs
Now you know which countries have the highest demand and salaries for ESL teachers, it might be helpful when you are starting your research in teaching overseas, however, considering the motivation for a lot of people teaching abroad is to experience different cultures and learn new languages, it also helps to research which countries offer you the type of experiences you are looking for, and you will see yourself living happily in. After all, life is all about experiences, isn’t it?
More to Explore
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